Atlanta Police Increase Mall Security for Holiday Season

From Patch Reports

The Atlanta Police Department will increase partrols at Lenox Square and for the holidays, the APD announced Tuesday.

The security buildup begins Thanksgiving night with t and continues through the Chick-Fil-A Bowl in the Georgia Dome and Peach Drop on New Year’s Eve at Underground Atlanta. Along with the Buckhead malls, the WalMart-anchored shopping district on Howell Mill Road will be included.

"Zone commanders throughout the department’s six geographical zones have put together holiday action plans to ensure the safety of citizens from crimes of opportunity that include robberies, burglaries, auto thefts, vehicle break-ins and shoplifting," a news release from police spokesman Carlos Campos said.

The plan includes overtime for police officers and coordination with other law enforcement agencies, private security and off-duty personnel, the announcement said. The APD will also deploy discretionary units accordingly, including Auto Theft Task Force, DUI Task Force, Motors, Mounted Patrol, C.O.P.S. and others, the annoucement said.

“The holidays are a wonderful time of year for family and friends, but as police we have to redouble our efforts to make sure that criminals do not spoil our celebration,” said Atlanta Police Chief George Turner in  a statement. “It’s imperative that citizens be mindful of the opportunistic nature of criminals and be aware of their surroundings at all times.”

People should avoid talking on their cellphones while moving through parking lots while shopping, avoid unlit or unsupervised parking lots, travel in groups after dark when possible, avoid darkly lit streets, use ATMs indoors and always be vigilant for suspicious behavior.

Turner said citizens should call 911 if they see any suspicious activity as part of the city’s “See Something/Say Something” campaign.

The APD also snnouncd a “Clean Car Campaign,” encouraging people to never leave valuables in a car — not even items that can hint of potential targets, such as a ring left by a GPS suction cup on a windshield, or earbuds for an mp3 player.

During the  holiday season, the department will be distributing “Clean Car Checklists” to motorists around shopping areas throughout the city of Atlanta.

The checklists are laminated public service reminders designed by the department. The checklist hangs by an aluminum chain from the rear view mirror of a vehicle as a reminder to remove all valuables – from GPS devices to laptops to purses.