Fresh Loaf

Videodrome, the Poncey-Highland movie rental store that’s been a go-to for film buffs since 1997, was robbed Friday night.

Owner Matt Booth tells CL that a male suspect entered the store at approximately 10:45 p.m. and browsed film selections. After purchasing a movie, the suspect allegedly displayed a gun to the clerk and demanded the contents of the register. (Booth declined to say how much cash the suspect took.)

No one was injured during the robbery. An Atlanta Police Department spokesman told CL he was working on providing more details about the case. We’ll update when we hear word.

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In the first of CL’s series of videos chronicling mayoral candidates you’ve probably never heard of, tavern owner Rufus Terrill reveals his strategy for combating Atlanta crime. Behold, the Bum Bot!

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Remember the daring robbers who broke into a Grant Park home and made off with a flat-screen TV? You probably saw it on the YooToobz, the world’s most powerful crime-fighting tool next to David Caruso.

Now other Atlanta residents are putting the site to use.

Surveillance camera footage recently uploaded to YouTube shows a person allegedly trying to break into cars at the Milltown Lofts in Reynoldstown on Aug. 9. The first video, filmed around 3:30 a.m., shows a man moseying through the parking lot and unsuccessfully trying to enter a black Toyota 4Runner.

Three hours later, the same man returns. He peers into the same car and then walks behind a silver pick-up truck. Several minutes later, the man is seen strolling past the camera and rolling a keyboard.

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After a July 25th weekend marked by the carjacking of a City Councilman, the killing of a pro boxer and the shooting of an Edgewood resident, Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington was once again criticized for his noticeable absence.

“At this particular time, I do not know.”

— An Atlanta Police Department spokesman tells CBS Atlanta on July 29 he didn’t know the chief’s whereabouts.

“I was surprised to watch a recent press conference regarding crimes near the [Georgia Tech] and see the Atlanta Police Department represented by a lieutenant and a sergeant. Where was the chief? Leadership matters, and he hasn’t mattered. His absence has been an issue.”

— Former Atlanta Deputy Chief Lou Arcangeli in a July 30 AJC article.

““I want the critics to know that I have not ‘checked out.’”

— Pennington, who says he was at a mandatory training conference in Virginia during the crimes, at a July 30 press conference.

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Mayor Franklin at yesterday's press conference.

Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington’s press conference yesterday was a long and quizzical event filled mostly with testy questions about the chief’s recent whereabouts.

But in addition to those questions about Atlanta’s Houdini, the mayor said she wanted to talk about “solutions” and the city’s strategy to improve its piss-poor public safety. That strategy involves more cops on the street, a crackdown on gang activity, and an engaged community.

In the interest of public engagement and transparency, we’ve decided to post Franklin’s statement in full.

After the jump, what Franklin’s administration plans to do in her remaining months in office to prevent the killings, carjackings, burglaries and other ills.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Jim Walls at Atlanta Unfiltered dug into Atlanta’s crime statistics for this year and found that, yep, crime is  down citywide. But there are pockets where it’s risen sharply.

Aggravated assaults climbed by more than 50 percent in downtown Atlanta this year, and residential burglaries were up sharply in Buckhead and southwest Atlanta, police statistics show.

…

Aggravated assault, for instance, climbed 52 percent in Zone 5 (downtown Atlanta), even as it declined by 8 percent in the rest of the city. Auto theft was up 23 percent and bicycle theft up 120 percent in Zone 5 during the same period.

Residential burglaries climbed 54 percent in Zone 3 (Southwest Atlanta) over 2008, the statistics show. In Zone 2 (Buckhead), residential burglaries rose 33 percent. Elsewhere in the city, the number of burgaries was stable or down slightly; in Zone 1 (northwest Atlanta), they were down 28 percent.

More info at Atlanta Unfiltered.

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Who knew train wrecks could happen indoors?

Mayor Shirley Franklin and Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington today faced heated questions from reporters on how the city plans to address residents’ growing concerns about public safety.

The focus this morning was on Pennington, who spoke only briefly and appeared downtrodden throughout the press conference. The chief’s been criticized for maintaining a low profile, especially after a recent spurt of crimes in the city that included the killing of a pro boxer, the carjacking of a councilman, and the shooting of a man walking into his girlfriend’s house with groceries. Today was the first anyone’s heard from him on the recent rash of crimes. (He said he was attending mandatory “police leadership training” in Virginia over the weekend.)

Reporters asked the chief — who will be looking for a new job once the mayor’s term ends in January — if he has the wherewithal to address the crime issue.

“I have not ‘checked out,’” Pennington said. “I will continue to work hard until [Franklin] leaves.”

Franklin — who got testy with the press many times throughout the conference — voiced unwavering support for Pennington, whom she said has helped “reform” the Atlanta department and the New Orleans Police Department, where he formerly worked.

“I’m proud of his leadership,” she said. “I’m proud of his integrity.”

She added, however, that one crime is “one crime too many” — and that the city could do more.

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Thanks to some Obamabucks from Washington, D.C., Atlanta residents could see more police officers patrolling the streets — possibly this fall.

Vice President Joe Biden today announced $1 billion in economic stimulus funds to hire 4,700 police officers in cities across the country. The funds will be administered through the U.S. Justice Department’s Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, program.

Atlanta’s set to receive $11.2 million of that loot — enough to hire 50 police officers. (You can view a PDF of Atlanta’s award letter here.)

That’s a far cry from the 200 officers Mayor Shirley Franklin had hoped for earlier this year. But after a weekend of high-profile shootings, killings and carjackings, it’s good news for a city that looks safer on paper than it feels on the streets.

In a statement about the funding, Atlanta Deputy Chief George Turner said:

…the goal is to have a recruit class this fall with the 50 new recruits. Once the officers are trained they will be dispatched into the community. The police department is proud and happy to add 50 new officers to the force, said Chief Turner. All the positions awarded under the grant must be used to initiate or enhance community policing in the City of Atlanta.

There’s a catch, however.

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Everyone wants to know! Quel scandale!

We hope our fellow freedom-loving friends across the Atlantic will be enchanted by the depiction of our grand city. Crime, bum bots, and hella guns. Creative Loafing also plays a role. “Jay-sohn,” the civilian patroller interviewed in the report, is CL’s senior art director. Hat tip to SpaceyG for finding the video.

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Number of reported burglaries, larcenies and automobile thefts in Atlanta in 2008: 38,978

Percentage increase in Atlanta property crimes in 2008, compared to the previous year: 7.6

Percentage that property crime decreased across the country in 2008: 1.6

Number of times a Poncey-Highland gym was broken into in the first weeks of June: 5

Number of intown bars hit in one night in May by thieves apparently looking for flat-screen TVs: 4

Number of times a Midtown clothing boutique was hit by “smash-and-grab” burglars in May: 2

Total number of burglaries, larcenies and thefts that occurred in Atlanta during the first three months of 2009 (most recent statistics): 7,980

Number of same crimes that occurred during the first three months of 2008: 8,804

Atlanta’s rank in a disputed survey of the nation’s most dangerous cities: 2

Sources: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Police Department, FBI Annual Crime Statistics, Real Clear Politics

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The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2008 crime statistics, released on Monday, add weight to the argument that, contrary to what some folks in City Hall might’ve said in the past, Atlanta’s crime concerns aren’t about perception but about people actually entering your car or home and taking your possessions.

Although the bureau’s stats show violent crimes in Atlanta decreased 8.3 percent compared to 2007 (that’s good!), property crimes such as burglaries, thefts and larceny jumped 7.6 percent (that’s bad!). That’s quite a leap in just a year and a stark contrast to the 1.6 percent decrease in property crimes enjoyed by the rest of the country.

Real Clear Politics crunched the bureau’s statistics and concluded Atlanta had a 16 percent per capita crime rate, thus earning it the distinction of being the second least safe city in the United States. Memphis, Tenn., earned top honors. San Antonio, Texas, Detroit and Milwaukee rounded out the bottom five.

Celebrate our dubious honor by locking up your flat screens, supporting your local patrolman, and keeping valuables in your car out of sight.

(H/T to Sara for noting the RCP article)

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Holla!

From the Atlanta Police Department:

The Atlanta Police Department Special Enforcement Section with the assistance of other APD Units served a warrant yesterday in Southwest Atlanta. As a result of the warrant several people were arrested and numerous items were seized. Among the items were 4 firearms, 3 flat panel televisions, ammunition, bolt cutters, 1 purse, 2 designer shirts and 10 pair of designer blue jeans. A news conference will be held today at 10:00am on the 2nd floor of City Hall East to provide further details.

If you recall, Fox 5 reported a suspected link between some of the “blue-jean bandit” robberies and the 30 Deep Gang. Jonathan Redding, the teen who was arrested in connection with the John Henderson murder, was suspected to be a 30 Deep member.

UPDATE: The AJC’s Mike Morris has more details:

Two adults and three juveniles, ranging in age from 14 to 25, were arrested, and police said four of the suspects are known members of the “30 Deep” gang that was recently connected to the Jan. 7 killing of Grant Park bartender John Henderson.

However, police said Friday that they had not been able to connect any of those arrested Thursday night to Henderson’s slaying.

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This is wonderful, especially because your humble pixel-stained wretch does most of his banking at this very location!

Consumer advocate blog Consumerist says a “card skimmer” — a device scammers attach onto ATMs which reads and stores your personal information — was found on a ATM at the bank’s Ponce de Leon Avenue and Frederica Street location.

Here’s what Consumerist reader “Kelly” wrote to the blog:

The location was the corner of Ponce de Leon and Frederica in Atlanta. There are two ATMs at the location, one in the front and one in the back. The ATM that had the skimmer on it was the ATM in the back. When I discovered it, I was so surprised that I didn’t think to call the number on the ATM, I called the main customer support number instead (the call was around 5:12 pm saturday).

The put me on hold for a bit and when they came back on they asked me for the location and time of discovery, and they asked me to give the skimmer to the police.

When I flagged down a police officer, he gave me the distinct impression that I was to give it to the bank so that they could “conduct an internal investigation.”

I just thought it was funny that the bank didn’t seem to want the device, and neither did the cops. So here I am, left with an illegal card skimmer with a whole bunch of strangers’ card data on it. I just want to get rid of it!

We’ve sent an email to BofA’s newsroom for comment, as no phone number was listed.

(H/T to @ameliatrace from The Wren’s Nest)

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Seven spots, to be exact — the largest drop of all the states, says CQ Press. New Hampshire is the safest state in the nation. Nevada, a sizzling den of crime and chaos, is the least safe. (How much you want to bet at least one journalist uses the “when crime happens in Vegas, it stays in Vegas” line?)

To view CQ Press’ study, visit its site. A PDF of state rankings is available here. A PDF of the survey’s methodology is here.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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A recent email to residents from an Atlanta Police Department zone commander underscores the difficulties the department and Atlantans face when it comes to crime — but it also stresses the need to remain aware and vigilant.

In a Tuesday morning email to neighborhood groups, Major Khirus Williams says Monday night saw a rise in robberies and carjackings. Williams says that recent furloughs have reduced the number of street patrols and that criminals are “becoming more brazen.” In the email, he offers tips residents can use to stay safe and reduce the likelihood of crime.

Needless to say, some of them are pretty depressing. But “more with less” and all that.

Please read this e-mail and alert our citizens that we had robberies and multiple car jackings throughout the City of Atlanta (metro wide) last night, including your area.

Please, let us all keep our exterior lights on to illuminate the area. This makes the area unpopular for criminals!

Also, please have your family, friends, and neighbors to blow their horn when arriving. This allows us to watch for them until they arrive, inside, safely. Open the window dressings and hi-light them with a flash-light. Thus, the criminal element would be aware that someone is watching!

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Rhode Island, Florida and Illinois top the list. The Washington Post reports:

Fraud jumped by 26 percent in 2008 from the previous year, the study concluded, based on data collected from roughly 70 percent of the nation’s lenders as well as mortgage insurance companies and mortgage investors. The study was prepared by the Mortgage Asset Research Institute, an arm of LexisNexis, for the Mortgage Bankers Association.

…

Next on the list were Illinois, Georgia and Maryland, which landed among the top 10 for the first time in the study’s 11-year history and stood out as having the highest percentage of fraud on tax returns and financial statements. It shot up from the 15th slot in 2007.

“With fewer loan originations today, the data suggest that the economic downturn may have created more desperation, causing more people than ever before to try to commit mortgage fraud,” said Denise James, one of the study’s authors.

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The state Senate passed legislation today that would allow Atlanta residents to decide if they want to pay extra for more police officers and firefighters.

State Sen. Kasim Reed, a Democrat from Atlanta who’s also a front-runner in the mayor’s race, sponsored the bill.

Dave Williams of the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports:

Legislation asking Atlanta voters to tax themselves to pay for additional police and fire protection cleared an important hurdle in the General Assembly Thursday.

The Senate voted 30-23 to hold a referendum in the city in November on a plan to raise property taxes to hire more police officers and firefighters.

…

Reed said the legislation is modeled after a bill the General Assembly adopted allowing a sales tax referendum in Atlanta to pay for water and sewer improvements, which won approval from 71 percent of city voters. He said the property tax increase would expire after four years unless reauthorized in a subsequent referendum.

The bill now moves to the House. If approved, Reed says the owner of a $250,000 home would pay an additional $6 a month on their property taxes. The senator received some guff from his colleagues, who said Mayor Shirley Franklin and the City Council could resolve the dispute over raising taxes vs. cutting public safety themselves. But Reed says the problem can’t wait for a new administration in City Hall.

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From USA Today:

In a city where Coca Cola, United Parcel Service and Home Depot are the titans of industry, there are new powerful forces on the block: Mexican drug cartels.

Their presence and ruthless tactics are largely unknown to most here. Yet, of the 195 U.S. cities where Mexican drug-trafficking organizations are operating, federal law enforcement officials say Atlanta has emerged as the new gateway to the troubled Southwest border.

Rival drug cartels, the same violent groups warring in Mexico for control of routes to lucrative U.S. markets, have established Atlanta as the principal distribution center for the entire eastern U.S., according to the Justice Department’s National Drug Intelligence Center.

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Richard Pennington

UPDATE: Pennington says he hasn’t been contacted for the position. The White House declines to comment. We clasp our hands and pray Atlanta’s favorite soul patch — he’s after the jump below — is not named the next DEA chief.

CBS Atlanta reports that Atlanta Police Chief Richard Pennington is being eyed to head the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Or maybe not?

A [APD] spokesperson says the department has not been informed of this information and they could not comment.

[CBS Atlanta reporter Joanna Massee] e-mailed Mayor Shirley Franklin to see if she was aware Pennington was being considered for a position at the DEA. A spokesperson for the mayor said, “While Mayor Franklin is unaware of the opportunity in your email she thinks, ‘Chief Pennington is a terrific and highly effective law enforcement official and who has served Atlanta with distinction.’”

Pennington sent an email to CBS Atlanta and it said, “I have no knowledge that I’m being considered for any federal law enforcement position. Furthermore, I have not been contacted by anyone in Washington.”

New Orleans media outlets are abuzz about the rumor. Pennington was the city’s former police superintendent before heading to Atlanta. Eager to put a stop to all the madness, CL contacted its fictitious high-level sources at the federal agency. Turns out there’s been some confusion.

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The killing of John Henderson sparked Atlanta resident awareness about crime.

Kyle Keyser is a founder of Atlantans Together Against Crime, a grassroots citizen group that raises awareness about the city’s growing crime problem. In an open letter to Mayor Shirley Franklin and City Council that Keyser asked CL to publish, he says the community is fully engaged, but residents’ trust in their elected officials is slipping. On Feb. 23 from 5 to 7 p.m., ATAC will hold its second monthly rally at the corner of Martin Luther King and Joseph E. Lowery Boulevards.

An Open Letter to the Mayor and Council of Atlanta:

Lately, it seems, when you can’t fight crime with police officers you fight it with numbers.

“Things are better today,” you insist, and you reach back over the years to compare crime rates. Never mind the property crime increase here or another senseless murder there. You act as if this is all in our heads, perhaps being exacerbated by neighbors – and neighborhoods – too quick to react.

Madam Mayor & Council members – with all due respect – stop patronizing us. We are not children who are scared of the dark for no other reason than its darkness. Criminals are lurking in our streets and perpetrating horrible crimes on all sides of Atlanta. Maybe they are not killing or assaulting us as much as they did in your comparison years but they are breaking into our homes and our cars, they are robbing us of hard-earned possessions, and they are stealing our privacy, our peace, and our sense of safety with alarming frequency.

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The Midtown Ponce Security Alliance hosts a special meeting tonight at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer to address the city’s crime problem. Atlanta City Councilmembers Kwanza Hall and Anne Fauver and Major Khirus Williams of the Atlanta Police Department’s Zone 5 will attend. The public is welcome.

Full release and additional details are after the jump.

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Earlier this month, John Henderson was killed during an early-morning robbery at The Standard Food and Spirits on Memorial Drive. Today and tonight, more than 60 Atlanta restaurants are participating in a “dine-out” benefit to raise funds for the reward that would lead to the arrest of individuals involved in his slaying.

For a full list of participating restuarants — and a map their locations — check out Atlantans Together Against Crime’s website.

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Nearly 175 people gathered in Little Five Points last night to rally and raise awareness about the city’s  crime problem. Atlantans Together Against Crime, a grassroots citizen group, organized the event. The group plans to stage rallies in different Atlanta neighborhoods on the last Monday of every month.

Grayson of Mostly Media has video of last night’s event.

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Members of Atlantans Together Against Crime, a grassroots advocacy group launched after the slaying of John Henderson, will hold a rally tonight in Little Five Points to raise awareness about crime in the city. The group plans to rally in a different Atlanta neighborhood on the last Monday of every month.

Here’s the information from the organization’s Facebook group:

Reclaim Atlanta’s Neighborhoods!
A Rally for Action, Awareness, & Change.

Monday, January 26th.
5p-7p
Findley Plaza, Little Five Points

On Wednesday night, more than 20 Atlanta restaurants including JCT Kitchen, 97 Estoria, Beleza, El Taco and Stella Trattoria will participate in a “dine out” benefit. Participating restaurants are encouraged to donate at least 20 percent of the evening’s proceeds to a reward fund established for information leading to the arrest of the people involved in Henderson’s slaying. For a map and full list of participating restaurants, visit ATAC’s group page.

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A Jan. 7 killing and armed robbery at the Standard Food and Spirits sparked community outcry — and questions over who’s to blame for a rise in Atlanta crime.

“The idea that we have a city where this kind of violence can happen is completely unacceptable. … What we have seen is cuts [in police hours] made [by Mayor Shirley Franklin] without consultation and collaboration.”

— Atlanta Councilmember Mary Norwood, who attended a Thursday morning vigil for victim John Henderson, in a Jan. 8 AJC article.

“I proposed a modest tax increase [in early 2008] dedicated to public safety and the Council chose to roll back taxes in spite of our warnings. … [Norwood] has never sought to discuss the budget recommendations with me and I find her remarks today to be ludicrous and irresponsible.”

— Franklin’s response to Norwood, in a Jan. 8 press release.

“i would be happy to pay more taxes for a safer community. but our family can and will leave if the city doesn’t address this problem.”

— Adam Bartolett, in a post on the Atlantans Together Against Crime and Cutbacks’ Facebook page.

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