APD Community Unit Gives Personal Attention

Miguel A. Lugo says he's a police officer first. He'll make arrests and perform other police duties. However, he plays a different role than other members of the APD.

As part of the APD's new Community Oriented Policing Section, Lugo, a six-year member of the police force, makes a connection with business owners and residents in Buckhead and  the other parts of Zone 2 he covers.

"We give personal service to our community," he says. "If they need help, they have a number, a face, and a name."

Lugo makes regular visits and hears about problems, paying attention to even the smallest complaint. Unlike regular patrol officers, he doesn't respond to calls, having the opportunity to spend as much time as needed to listen. COPS, formally launched with an event Saturday at Woodruff Park, has been in operation for three weeks. 

"I can work one on one with a person who needs help," Lugo says. "I don't have to rush off because I have to go to another call."

The officer also can give special attention to problems. Businesses at Peachtree Battle Shopping Center reported aggressive panhandling by several street people, so Lugo patrols the area by foot every day at lunchtime. Another COPS officer patrols in the evening. The problem has been alleviated, merchants say.

"I think it's a pretty effective program," said Douglas Grant Sr., owner of LaRo Jewelers. "They're very visible, and I think the public likes that."

Linda Silber, owner of Woo Skin Care and Cosmetics, said the COPS' officers' presence "gives everyone a good sense of security. If we ever need anything, all we have to do is call them, and they're right here. Their presence discourages an element that we don't want or don't need here."

On a recent afternoon, Lugo finished his patrol at the shopping center and  drove down Peachtree to a few more stops. Pulling off to Frankie Allen Park, where people have complained about dog owners letting their pets go unleashed, he drives through the parking lot, but the park is empty after a morning of heavy rain. He says that he talks to those who let their dogs run free, and they respond positively.

On a previous visit to the park, he saw that a large tree had fallen across part of a parking lot, and reported this to the city recreation department, which removed the tree.

Lugo works with a range of city offices and agencies in identifying and solving problems. His duties include drug enforcement, children's services, code enforcement violations, helping the homeless and carrying out security inspections at homes and businesses.

He explains that members of the community discuss a range of issues with him. "Whatever is not police related, we will refer to the proper city agency," he said. "We will do follow up." Working with different agencies and businesses that provide necessary services, he said, "we are not restricted. When we identify a problem ...we have unlimited resources to solve it."

About the COPS program's philosophy of reaching out to members of the community, he says, "There's too much work to be done. The police can't do it alone. The community can't do it alone. We have to address the problem together."

The next stop is the Metropolitan at Buckhead, an apartment complex on Lenox Road. There, he hears a report from community director Soraya Pena. Lugo, a native of Puerto Rico, follows Pena as she talks on the phone with a resident in Spanish about a problem. He hears about another problem requiring the involvement of the Department of Family and Children's Services.

That visit finished, he returns to his car to continue his patrol across his territory. Earlier, he'd mentioned that "what's killing us in this zone is breaking into cars," and as he drives into a shopping center in Berkeley Heights outside of Buckhead but still in Zone 2, he emphasizes an APD program to make people aware of the importance of not leaving valuables in their cars where they can be visible to thieves.  

The COPS program is a favorite of Mayor Kasim Reed and Police Chief George Turner. "We have the full support of our chain of command, and we feel good about it, " Lugo said. Although Lugo's not based at the Zone 2 precinct office on Maple Drive in Buckhead, he said that Zone Commander Maj. Robert Browning has an open-door policy for COPS officers.

He said he likes the program because he quickly sees the results of his work, rather than having to go through a lengthy court process. And, he welcomes the reaction from the community. "A simple thank you, that's good enough for us."