Month: March 2009

Public Safety Meeting Follow Up – Important Information!

Jesse Thompson

By Jeff Rader

Commissioner Jeff Rader along with dedicated county public safety officers hosted a public safety community meeting at Peachtree Baptist Church on Monday, March 23rd in response to the recent brutal attack of a jogger on nearby Southland Vista Court. Over one hundred citizens came to hear from Deputy Chief G.R. Horner and Captain T. F. Lane, Sergeant S. Henry, MPO J. A. Obester, Detective Sergeant Fonseca, and public education specialist Janeane Hightower, Neighborhood Watch Program. Chief Assistant Solicitor-General Nicole Marchand was also in attendance. Read More

WHNA Membership Drive, Volunteers Needed

Jesse Thompson

By WHNA president, Brad Grulke

I wanted to make you aware that we are doing our first annual membership drive this spring. Throughout the last few years we have had many people join the Woodland Hills Neighborhood Association. However, in order to make this association what it can be, we need more members and for our existing members to renew their membership.
The membership drive will run during April and May, culminating in a Neighborhood BBQ on Saturday May 16th. One of the main goals of our association is to become more of a community. Read More

Recap of Safety Meeting

Jesse Thompson

By WHNA president, Brad Grulke

On March 23rd Commissioner Rader's office organized a public safety meeting to address concerns over increasing crime in the Briarcliff/LaVista area. Representatives from the Dekalb County police assured those attended that despite the recent jogger attack violent crime in the area has decreased 21% and property crime has decreased 15% according to their statistics. Because investigation into the March 17th attack is on going, police were able to offer few details. They are treating the incident as if it were a random act. Read More

LCI Grant Funds North Druid Hills Corridor Planning

Jesse Thompson

by Jeff Rader

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

When it comes to government action, the best preventive measure is to have a plan beforehand. Otherwise, a rushed decision could require more money and time to cure the problem.

All too often, county governments make decisions in a "silo", that is, looking at only some of the relevant facts. Capital spending decisions are based on the merits of building or upgrading a specific facility. Zoning application decisions are based on the merits of a developer's proposal for a specific parcel. These decisions are often made without the benefit of a relevant and specific comprehensive plan for an area, district or county. Read More

Police to Briarcliff residents: Don’t worry, be careful

Jesse Thompson

Neighborhood upset after attack on jogger

By CHRIS REINOLDS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, March 23, 2009

DeKalb County police officials advised residents in the Briarcliff/LaVista road area to be cautious but not paranoid because a jogger was stabbed last week.

More than 100 people attended a community meeting Monday night at Peachtree Baptist Church, and some wanted more details about the suspect and the attack. Police, however, declined to release any information because it’s an ongoing investigation. Read More