Stealing campaign signs from front yards. Breaking into cars overnight in driveways. Snatching Christmas decorations. Residents in various parts of Fayette County have reported these and other offenses to police and on social media in the past month, making it not-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year for some.
Fayette’s crime statistics are low for metro Atlanta, and Peachtree City and Fayetteville regularly make the “safe places to live” lists compiled nationally. According to police reports, burglary and larceny (theft) in unincorporated Fayette County decreased in 2015. Lieutenant Mike Whitlow of the Fayetteville Police Department says such incidents are actually a bit lower so far this year.
The holiday season brings its share of crimes, and police departments always urge shoppers to be vigilant about leaving packages in view while at retail centers, and when possible to have gifts delivered to places where someone can receive them in person. Worst of all are thieves who target charity gift collection sites, taking toys meant for the needy. But crimes can occur in quieter areas, too.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, Peachtree City reported that more than 20 cars in neighborhoods near Peachtree Parkway and Redwine Road had been entered, with numerous items such as credit cards, phones and other electronics stolen. Nearly all of these incidents involved residents who left their vehicles unlocked, making them more vulnerable to theft.
Residents in other Fayette County neighborhoods have reported holiday displays being vandalized: lights ripped out, decorative deer poached and laser light projectors stolen.
Some homeowners say they’re installing more security cameras; others talk about booby-trapping their decorations “Home Alone” style. Even one incident in a neighborhood can spike concerns.
So tell us, are you concerned about property security in your area? Are you changing your holiday habits? Tell us about it by Tuesday at communitynews@ajc.com. Responses may be edited for length.
At Issue: How should Cobb County deal with low-income housing?
Cobb County officials and some city officials have been buying and closing down certain apartment communities that house lower-income residents. Higher-priced housing, multi-use developments and businesses are taking their place.
Behind this effort in South Cobb are Six Flags Over Georgia President Dale Kaetzel and the South Cobb Redevelopment Authority. Kaetzel has said he does not want the Six Flags name to continue to be associated with crime news from the nearby Six Flags residential/retail area. Hence, all of the Six Flags road names have been changed to promote the new Riverview area and the Magnolia Crossing apartment community has been demolished in hopes of building a multi-use development in its place.
Is the practice of demolishing low-income apartment communities a good way to deal with crime? Should local governments provide affordable housing and assistance to the homeless?
Here are some responses:
People don't understand that low-income housing isn't for those who live off the government. It's for those of us who don't make 100k/year. It's really for normal every day people. Build more low-priced rentals, and rent them for a reasonable price. I lived in a crappy apartment and paid way too much for it when I moved here. — Sarah Smith Kelch
I would like to see them torn down. I think we have learned over time that large apartment complexes, with very low-income tenants, are not a good combination. Mixed-use communities are much better for the economic development and future of the area. Oh and I don't blame the Six Flags guy. I would want the area surrounding it named something else, too. — Patty McSweeney Yohn
Tax incentives for mixed-income properties. Mass concentration of low-income communities are outdated. Housing vouchers are the easy way out but causes stress and uncertainty and just relocates the problems but doesn't improve quality of life. — Anne Taylor
Unless Cobb gets a train line, I say don't build low-income housing. The last thing poor people need is to have to have a car and all of the related expenses. Low-income housing should be built within half a mile of train stations or large bus transfer stations. — Chris Dusack
Have the low income better themselves, so they can afford nicer places. Momma always told me you have to work for it. That's what I always did. — Eric Hummel
Every apartment complex should have some section 8 in it. What business is it of yours if someone is low income? Why put them all in (the) same mold - thrown into units that are subpar? Shameful. — Patti Valitzski
Clearly, our government isn't smart. The reason the crime rate has skyrocketed in that area is because they tore down all those apartments on Bankhead and MLK. So all they did was shuffle the crime. I remember growing up on Six Flags Drive, and it was really nice; but now I would not rent an apartment for my goldfish over there. I know people don't want to hear the truth, but … it breeds drugs and crimes — Chaniece Reese
Redo buildings that are going to be torn down. — Julia Waters
Cobb has always been the "Beverly Hills" of Metro Atlanta. — Dwight Cooper
If you want a nice place to live, work for it. Stop living on taxpayer money and better yourself and stop blaming society for your problems. — Jose Gonzalez
Considering low-income housing typically is a synonym for high-crime housing, why would Cobb or any county want to concentrate (on) crime? — Neil Axelrod
Cobb should zone for higher density housing so that affordable condos and townhomes can be built. Something in the lower $100,000 range. In return for allowing such projects to be built, the county should require that they are deed restricted to owner occupation only. Then use the FHA and other assistance to get working families into the units. — Kevin Kitchen
Maybe stop building all (of) these hideous multi-use developments! I lived in Smyrna for most of my life and was so excited to move back to be closer to my work… . I don't want to be driven out of my hometown because of all this absurd growth! … I am not fine with the destruction of my hometown… . I'm sad that I grew up in a very diverse little city full of low-income families that have made their way out of their low-income status and went on to achieve greater things, and now we are so quick to kick people out of here… . The criminals will still be criminals. They will still find themselves in your new high-priced neighborhoods, committing crime… . I am not ashamed of my middle-class status. I hate being looked down upon by this new demographic we have in Cobb. — Jamie Burdett
Annual IRS income submitted. If over a certain amount, 2 months to locate new housing. — Marlena Alvarado
Eliminate low-income housing. They are breeding grounds for crime and illegal activities. Do not waste taxpayer money. County government should not infringe on free enterprise. — Larry Babin
Low income is needed. However, there has to be a better solution. No, not just hide or remove or move… . Sorry, but aren't we all sick of the stereotypes? My families came from dirt poor, literally. Yes, (we) worked to get away from that. Sigh. Ideas?… Btw, I'm a deplorable and proud of it. — Michael Hollstein
Continue to build it, and watch your tax base shrivel to pennies as a mass exodus continues toward Bartow and Paulding. — Stefan Attaway
Take them down. High crime and I'm tired of it. — Leo Calderon
Everyone should have to work for what they get. — Barry Jones
Eliminate it. Section has been a problem since inception. Most of the people living in these areas have developed a low moral character which, in turn, encourages drug dealers and users along with prostitution. These areas need to be torn down and mixed income developed. — Michael Sean Robinson
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