Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH
Employment Opportunities with Cobb County Public Safety
Cobb County Police
ONE BADGE – UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITIES!
The Cobb County Police Department is a professional and innovative policing agency with state and national accreditation. We are committed to our core values of Honor, Integrity, Professionalism, Courage, Commitment and Respect and proud of the relationships and support we have in our community.
We are the lead law enforcement agency serving a county of 345 square miles and over 760,000 residents on the northwest side of the Atlanta metropolitan area. With an authorized strength of over 700 officers, the department operates out of 5 precincts and has over 25 full and part-time specialty units.
The Cobb County Police Department has a diverse opportunity of assignments for you to pursue any passion while serving the community. The ability to move around precincts and through multiple specialty assignments, combined with abundant opportunities for promotion, will keep each day exciting, challenging and rewarding throughout your career with Cobb County. We provide exceptional training and state-of-the-art equipment to prepare you for success and we look forward to you accepting the challenge to be the best and joining our family at the Cobb County Police Department.
For more information visit or call:
joincobbpolice.com
Internal Affairs Recruiting and Background Unit
770-528-3812
DPSRecruiting@cobbcounty.org
Cobb County 911
The Cobb County Department of Public Safety E911 Emergency Communications Center invites you to explore a career as an Emergency Communications Officer. Our agency is certified by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and serves as the E911 call and dispatch center for the Cobb County Police Department, Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, City of Marietta Police and Fire, and the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department.
This expanding career field is ideal for a person with good communication and multi-tasking skills and the ability to work under stressful conditions.
Testing for the position of Emergency Communications Officer 1 generally takes place several times per year. Once the position posts online, it will remain open until all testing spaces are filled. If testing has closed, please check back periodically.
For more information and to apply you can visit:
Cobb PAL Baseball Camp —Free Entry—register today at https://bit.ly/3uwePiQ
August 14th-15th (ages 7-11 on the 14th and ages 12-16 on the 15th)
6 pm—8:00 pm
Powder Springs Park
4000 Lewis Road Ext
Powder Springs, GA 30127
WHAT YOU CAN DO
● Burglary Prevention
○ Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
○ Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
○ Motion sensor activated lighting
○ Surveillance cameras
● Entering Auto Prevention
○ Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
○ If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
○ Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
● Postal Theft
○ Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
○ Security Cameras
○ Do not raise the mail flag
○ Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
● Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something!
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form at
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly e-mailed PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Click the link to discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information. Nextdoor.com
Stay Safe,
Sgt. T. J. Richie
Det. Lieutenant T. M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T. J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH
Cobb County Police Department Helpful Links and Information
New Cobb Police Headquarters, Central Records, and Permits location
545 S. Fairground Street
Marietta, GA 30060
770.499.3900
To Obtain Police Reports:
- Must have a valid I.D.
- Payment for the report
Obtaining Accident Reports:
Accident reports are generally available for pick up 3-5 business days after the event. There is a $5.00 charge for all non-involved parties.
Obtain an accident report in person:
Involved parties can go to any precinct or Police Headquarters. Non-involved parties must go to Police Headquarters. A valid form of identification will be requested.
Obtain an accident report by mail:
Mail a request, a copy of a valid form of identification, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Cobb County Police Department
Central Records
545 South Fairground Street
Marietta, Georgia 30060
Obtain an accident report by email:
Please send an email request to policeopenrecordsofficer@cobbcounty.org with a copy of valid photo identification.
Obtaining Incident Reports:
Incident reports that are 10 or more pages are 10¢ per page for non-involved parties. To obtain a copy of an incident report:
In-person:
Involved parties can go to any of the five Cobb County precincts or Central Records to obtain a copy of most incident reports. Parties not listed as involved on the reports, or parties requesting reports involving juveniles, domestic violence, rape, or stalking must go to Central Records to obtain a copy of the report.
Via Email:
Email the request to policeopenrecordsofficer@cobbcounty.org. Reports involving juveniles, domestic violence, rape, or stalking can only be obtained at Central Records.
Mail:
Send your request to the address listed above.
A release form for an impounded vehicle may be obtained from the precinct from where it was impounded, or from Central Records at Police Headquarters. Proof of ownership and a valid form of identification will be required. Proof of ownership may be a certificate of title, tag receipt, bill of sale, GCIC VIN/tag returns, or other such evidence that specifically describes the vehicle.
If there is a hold on the vehicle, it shall not be released without the permission of the authorizing officer.
A 3rd party who is sent by the owner to pick up a vehicle must have:
- A valid form of identification; and
- A signed and notarized letter from the owner specifically naming 1) the
individual to pick up the vehicle, and 2) a description of the vehicle, to include the vehicle make, model, color, and VIN (or tag number); and
- Proof that the signatory owns the vehicle.
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Entering Autos (EA)
Ladies and Gentlemen, our current crime trends continue to be Entering Autos. The over night residential Entering Autos and vehicle thefts related to those entering autos have increased due to the key fob or spare key left in vehicles. The most common method as of recent is thefts from unlocked vehicles. It appears, if nothing of value is in view and the doors are locked, the perpetrators move on to the next unlocked vehicle. All the recent EA cases were vehicles that were unlocked. At the very least;
- Lock your vehicle
- Remove weapons
- DO NOT leave spare key in vehicle or fob if push start
When you park your vehicle away from your home and If you can’t take valuables and weapons with you when you leave your vehicle, stop Prior to parking in the parking lot and lock items in the glovebox, center console, or trunk. Perpetrators will sit in the parking lot and watch you hide or lock valuables in your trunk. Also, double check that ALL vehicle doors are locked.
General theft types and WHAT YOU CAN DO
● Burglary Prevention
○ Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
○ Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
○ Motion sensor activated lighting
○ Surveillance cameras
● Entering Auto Prevention
○ Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
○ If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
○ Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
● Postal Theft
○ Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
○ Security Cameras
○ Do not raise the mail flag
○ Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
● Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something!
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form at: https://www.cobbcounty.org/public-safety. .
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly e-mailed PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Click the link to discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information. Nextdoor.com
Stay Safe,
Sgt. T. J. Richie
Det. Lieutenant T.M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T. J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
Public Safety Topic of The Month
Safety Tips for Summer Vacation Crime Prevention
- Never advertise you are leaving town: Don’t broadcast that you and your family will be away. Wait until after your trip to share updates and photos on social media. Remind your children not to Facebook, blog, or tweet your family’s absence from home.
- Create the illusion of occupancy: While away cancel delivery of mail and newspaper or arrange for a neighbor to pick them up.
- Lights: Put inside and outside lights on a timer to establish a look of occupancy. A timer on your TV– so it’s on when you’d normally be watching TV is also a good idea.
- Lock all windows and doors: Keep valuables away from windows, lower blinds and close curtains so passers-by can’t view these items. Remember, a significant amount of crime can be deterred if homeowners do not create easy opportunities for the criminal element.
- Garage: Keep your car locked and the windows up even if its parked in the garage, and take your keys with you. If your house is broken into, there is no need to provide the thief with a car. You may also want to un-plug your garage door opener and lock the garage door while out of town.
- Trust a Neighbor: Make sure a dependable neighbor watches your house, has a house key, and has your cell number in case of any home emergency. Also make sure your neighbor has a way to shut off any alarms.
- Utilities: It’s always a good idea to turn back the temperature of your water heater, shut off the water to your washing machine (washing machine hose breaks are at the top of the list when it comes to home damage costs).
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Entering Autos
Ladies and Gentlemen, our current crime trends continue to be Entering Autos. The bulk of the Entering Autos are taking place overnight and early in the morning. The majority of all the Entering Autos have been UNLOCKED vehicles with valuables including guns left inside. PLEASE remove all valuables especially guns from your vehicles every time you park and leave the vehicle. During these Entering Autos, we had several vehicles that were also stolen. The perpetrators were able to steal the vehicles because victims had left their Key Fobs inside the vehicles. Even if you hide the Key Fob it still allows the perpetrator to hit the push-button start and leave with the vehicle. Remove all keys and key fobs before leaving your vehicle. Also, double check that ALL vehicle doors are locked.
If you observe someone breaking into vehicles do not approach them and immediately call 911. From a safe place provide 911 with an accurate description of the suspects, involved vehicles, and what direction the suspect is going. NO property is worth getting hurt over.
The recent increase in entering autos incidents, all have been unlocked vehicles. The vehicles have been parked in the driveways of residences. Videos from home security systems showed the suspects walking up to vehicles and checking the door handles. If the doors were unlocked, they entered the vehicle, rummaged through any contents, and took whatever valuables they were interested in. In one video, the suspect even opened and checked the trunk of a sedan. Their objective is to steal as much property from unlocked vehicles as possible without being detected so there are no reports of broken windows. If a vehicle was locked, they moved on to another vehicle. This is the most common practice of an entering auto thief.
No one can guarantee that a thief will not break out your vehicle window but incident data shows that forced entry to a vehicle’s window usually correlates with valuables inside the vehicle that are visible from outside the vehicle.
Again, remove all valuables from your parked vehicles, especially firearms. Lock your doors, even when parked at your residence. These two practices statistically reduces your chances of being an entering auto victim.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
● Burglary Prevention
○ Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
○ Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
○ Motion sensor activated lighting
○ Surveillance cameras
● Entering Auto Prevention
○ Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
○ If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
○ Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
● Postal Theft
○ Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
○ Security Cameras
○ Do not raise the mail flag
○ Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something!
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form at:
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly e-mailed PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Click the link to discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information. Nextdoor.com
Det. Lieutenant T.M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T. J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
Public Safety Topic of The Month
Summer Safety Tips
We have reached the end of another school year and “Summer Time” is right around the corner. Kids will be out of school and the temperatures will be on the rise. We would like to pass along a few safety tips to keep you and your kids safe this Summer.
Anybody can be at risk for a heat-related illness (Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Cramps). Those most at risk include: Infants, Young Children, Elderly, Pets, and people working or playing outdoors.
Take extra breaks
Drink lots of water
Mosquitoes can cause a number of illnesses, including Zika Virus and West Nile Virus. To prevent being infected:
Use EPA registered insect repellent with DEET
Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants
Once a week, scrub or empty planters, birdbaths, and vases; mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water.
Between 800 and 900 children drown every year in the United States. The CDC said the main factors that increase the risk of drowning include:
Lack of swimming ability
Lack of barriers to prevent unsupervised water access
Lack of close supervision while swimming
Failure to wear life jackets
Emergency departments see more than 20,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related brain injuries each year. 80% of playground injuries are caused by falls. Watch out for these potential hazards:
Improper ground surfaces: Surfaces should have 12 inches of wood chips, mulch, sand, pea gravel, or rubber mats.
Playgrounds should be free of exposed concrete footings, rocks or tree stumps.
Bike Safety/May is National Bike Month
Bicycling is one of the best ways to get exercise and see the sights. However, bicyclists face many hazards including sharing the road with vehicles. It is vital to follow these safety precautions:
Always inspect your bike prior to riding. (seat height, tires inflated, proper reflectors)
Plan to be seen. (wear bright clothing, if riding at night use flashing lights)
Wear a Helmet. (ensure proper size, center chin strap buckle, position helmet level on your head)
Follow Rules of the Road. (Ride single-file in direction of traffic, use hand signals)
PARK SAFETY: Now that Spring is in full bloom, many residents head outside and on the trails. With a variety of trails throughout the county, understanding the trail markers is recommended, especially should an emergency arise. To help dispatchers and first responders locate you quicker, be familiar with these blue signs; the Emergency Location Makers. To learn more and to understand Cobb County's trail makers watch this quick video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHHsp7zq.
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Ladies and Gentlemen, our current crime trends continue to be Entering Autos. The bulk of the Entering Autos are taking place overnight and early in the morning. The majority of all the Entering Autos have been UNLOCKED vehicles with valuables including guns left inside. PLEASE remove all valuables especially guns from your vehicles every time you park and leave the vehicle. During these Entering Autos, we had several vehicles that were also stolen. The perpetrators were able to steal the vehicles because victims had left their Key Fobs inside the vehicles. Even if you hide the Key Fob it still allows the perpetrator to hit the push-button start and leave with the vehicle. Remove all keys and key fobs before leaving your vehicle. Also, double check that ALL vehicle doors are locked.
If you observe someone breaking into vehicles do not approach them and immediately call 911. From a safe place provide 911 with an accurate description of the suspects, involved vehicles, and what direction the suspect is going. NO property is worth getting hurt over.
The recent increase in entering autos incidents, all have been unlocked vehicles. The vehicles have been parked in the driveways of residences. Videos from home security systems showed the suspects walking up to vehicles and checking the door handles. If the doors were unlocked, they entered the vehicle, rummaged through any contents, and took whatever valuables they were interested in. In one video, the suspect even opened and checked the trunk of a sedan. Their objective is to steal as much property from unlocked vehicles as possible without being detected so there are no reports of broken windows. If a vehicle was locked, they moved on to another vehicle. This is the most common practice of an entering auto thief.
No one can guarantee that a thief will not break out your vehicle window but incident data shows that forced entry to a vehicle’s window usually correlates with valuables inside the vehicle that are visible from outside the vehicle.
Again, remove all valuables from your parked vehicles, especially firearms. Lock your doors, even when parked at your residence. These two practices statistically reduces your chances of being an entering auto victim.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
○ Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
○ Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
○ Motion sensor activated lighting
○ Surveillance cameras
● Entering Auto Prevention
○ Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
○ If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
○ Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
○ Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
○ Security Cameras
○ Do not raise the mail flag
○ Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something!
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form at https://www.cobbcounty.org/public-safety. .
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly e-mailed PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Click the link to discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information. Nextdoor.com
Det. Lieutenant T.M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T. J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
Public Safety Topic of The Month
Mail Theft Prevention
We have had a few recent reports of mail stolen from residential mailboxes. Credit cards are being stolen and used fraudulently. If you were unaware, the Post Office offers the ability to email you with a preview of your incoming mail daily. You may then be aware sooner of a potential theft. (Informed Delivery by USPS)
Sign up at USPS.COM
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service also offers the following tips;
Here's what you can do to protect your mail from thieves:
Use the letter slots inside your Post Office for your mail, or hand it to a letter carrier.
Pick up your mail promptly after delivery. Don’t leave it in your mailbox overnight. If you're expecting checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail.
If you don't receive a check or other valuable mail you're expecting, contact the issuing agency immediately.
If you change your address, immediately notify your Post Office and anyone with whom you do business via the mail.
Don’t send cash in the mail.
Tell your Post Office when you’ll be out of town, so they can hold your mail until you return.
Report all suspected mail theft to a Postal Inspector.
Consult with your local Postmaster for the most up-to-date regulations on mailboxes, including the availability of locked centralized or curbside mailboxes.
If you see a mail thief at work, or if you believe your mail was stolen, call police immediately, then call Postal Inspectors at 877-876-2455 (press 3).
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Ladies and Gentlemen, our current crime trends continue to be Entering Autos. The bulk of the Entering Autos are taking place overnight and early in the morning. The majority of all the Entering Autos have been UNLOCKED vehicles with valuables including guns left inside. PLEASE remove all valuables especially guns from your vehicles every time you park and leave the vehicle. During these Entering Autos, we had several vehicles that were also stolen. The perpetrators were able to steal the vehicles because victims had left their Key Fobs inside the vehicles. Even if you hide the Key Fob it still allows the perpetrator to hit the push-button start and leave with the vehicle. Remove all keys and key fobs before leaving your vehicle. Also, double check that ALL vehicle doors are locked.
If you observe someone breaking into vehicles do not approach them and immediately call 911.
From a safe place provide 911 with an accurate description of the suspects, involved vehicles, and what direction the suspect is going. NO property is worth getting hurt over.
The recent increase in entering autos incidents, all have been unlocked vehicles. The vehicles have been parked in the driveways of residences. Videos from home security systems showed the suspects walking up to vehicles and checking the door handles. If the doors were unlocked, they entered the vehicle, rummaged through any contents, and took whatever valuables they were interested in. In one video, the suspect even opened and checked the trunk of a sedan. Their objective is to steal as much property from unlocked vehicles as possible without being detected so there are no reports of broken windows. If a vehicle was locked, they moved on to another vehicle. This is the most common practice of an entering auto thief.
No one can guarantee that a thief will not break out your vehicle window but incident data shows that forced entry to a vehicle’s window usually correlates with valuables inside the vehicle that are visible from outside the vehicle.
Again, remove all valuables from your parked vehicles, especially firearms. Lock your doors, even when parked at your residence. These two practices statistically reduces your chances of being an entering auto victim.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
○ Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
○ Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
○ Motion sensor activated lighting
○ Surveillance cameras
● Entering Auto Prevention
○ Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
○ If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
○ Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
○ Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
○ Security Cameras
○ Do not raise the mail flag
○ Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something!
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form at https://www.cobbcounty.org/public-safety. .
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly e-mailed PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Click the link to discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information. Nextdoor.com
Det. Lieutenant T.M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T. J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH
Steps to Avoid Tax-Return Identity Theft
Leave Social Security card at home: The thief uses your stolen SSN to file a fraudulent tax return early in tax season before you're likely to file and then pockets the refund.
Keep Social Security Number private: Provide your SSN to others only when absolutely necessary—don’t give it out just because a business asks for it or over email. Also, check your Social Security Administration earnings statement annually to make sure all your information is accurate.
Strong Passwords: You don't have to be tech-savvy to protect your accounts from hackers. Start by choosing a strong, unique password for each financial site you use, such as online banking or brokerage accounts. Don't have your computer automatically save passwords, especially on work computers, and change passwords regularly.
Protect against computer spam and viruses: Take advantage of the security software updates your operating system offers and make it a habit to use a firewall and anti-spam and anti-virus software.
Keep financial information private: Be wary of providing personal information over the phone or through the mail. Unless you have initiated the contact or you are sure you know the person you're talking to, it's better just to say no.
Beware of Phishing: Phishing is a term for online scams that use official-looking emails that seem to come from the IRS or your bank, but actually are from thieves seeking your SSN, bank account information or passwords. The IRS won't call you to tell you that you owe taxes. They will send you a letter.
Shred bank and Tax documents: Consider your tax documents, receipts and bank statements as potential trapdoors that allow entrance into your personal life. If you want to dispose of these financial documents safely, shred them.
Lock up your mailbox: Getting a locking mailbox can prevent someone from checking to see what mail you've received. Since letters may contain private financial information, a locking mailbox can also help to prevent identity theft.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
● Burglary Prevention
○ Lock your doors, including the one from the garage
○ Keep garage doors closed-check before bed every night
○ Motion sensor activated lighting
○ Surveillance cameras / alarm system
● Entering Auto Prevention
○ Lock your vehicles and remove items of value and items that appear to contain valuables.
○ If you can’t keep them with you, secure your valuables in the trunk before reaching your location.
○ Keep your vehicle locked and your purse or wallet on your person while fueling at the gas station.
● Postal Theft
○ Anti-Theft mailboxes with a special locking system
○ Security Cameras
○ Do not raise the mail flag
○ Do not send cash, checks, or anything that has credit card information
● Remember to CALL 911 to report any suspicious persons or activity. If you see something, say something.
Cobb County Camera Registry
The Cobb County Police Camera Registration program is a police/community video partnership that operates on a voluntary basis with homeowners, neighborhoods and business owners who own private video surveillance systems. We encourage both businesses and residents to register their cameras online by completing the form at.
This program is intended to let our officers know where cameras are active in the county in case a crime occurs. It is not intended for active surveillance, and officers will not have direct access to homeowners' cameras. Those who register a camera will be contacted if a crime occurs in the vicinity of that camera.
Information provided by residents and businesses will be maintained in a secure database.
If you have not already signed up to receive the monthly e-mailed PENS updates, please subscribe. Feel free to forward this e-mail to your HOA members and local businesses.
PENS is also sending out bulletins and alerts through its partnership with Nextdoor.com. Click the link to discover if your neighborhood is already signed up so you may join. If not, they will provide you with the necessary information. Nextdoor.com
Stay Safe,
Sgt. T. J. Richie
Det. Lieutenant T. M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T. J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Community Partners,
Welcome to this months PENS, Police Email Notification System bulletin. This monthly bulletin is brought to you from the Cobb County Police, Precinct 5 Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU5) and is designed to keep you aware of safety alerts and crime trends in your area and measures you can take to keep you and your family safe.
PUBLIC SAFETY TOPIC OF THE MONTH
The increase in the popularity of home security video systems not only helps the individual homeowner with the security of their property, but it can contribute to the safety and security of the neighborhood. The “Ring Neighbors App” links together participating neighbors’ systems into a network that allows the participates to post videos of suspicious activity for others to view. You do not have to be a Ring customer or use a Ring product to upload pictures or videos to the “Ring Neighbors App”. This helps keep the neighborhood aware of any criminal activity that is afoot. These videos can also be viewed by detectives investigating these incidents and assist with identifying suspects. The “Ring Neighbors App” also allows police to map clusters of criminal activity so officers can concentrate patrols in these areas.
The more homeowners that participate in the “Ring Neighbors App” the greater chance we all have in deterring crime and keeping our community safe. Please see the included links for more information about the “Ring Neighbors App”.
What is the Ring Neighborhood APP and what can it do/FAQ:
https://ring.com/neighbors
How well the Ring Neighborhood app works when you partner with the Police Department:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F44O9hVu.
Can the Police Department log in and look at my Cameras in my home?
Absolutely Not. Ring has gone to great lengths to ensure their customer's privacy. The only video Law Enforcement can see are the ones you share to the Neighbors App or share directly with them.
What is the benefit for me and my neighborhood?
Unfortunately, Police Officers don’t know who is a stranger in every neighborhood but YOU DO! Sharing photos and video allows detectives to link suspects to crimes but more importantly prevent crime before it happens.
How much does the Neighborhood app cost?
Absolutely nothing! Ring saw the importance of creating a bridge between you, your neighbors and the police. They then created the app so everyone could come together and share information to build safer neighborhoods.
How do I get the Neighbors App?
You can download the app from the “iPhone app store” for free or from “Google play” for free.
I don’t use Ring products can I still use this app?
YES. Once you have the app you can upload video or still photos from your handheld device. You can upload Ring video, Nest, Arlo or Smartphone pictures and video straight from your device.
Tips and Help for uploading and sharing videos and photos to your neighborhood.
CURRENT CRIME TRENDS
Entering Autos
Ladies and Gentlemen, our current crime trends continue to be Entering Autos. The bulk of the Entering Autos are taking place overnight and early in the morning. The majority of all the Entering Autos have been UNLOCKED vehicles with valuables including guns left inside. PLEASE remove all valuables especially guns from your vehicles every time you park and leave the vehicle. During these Entering Autos, we had several vehicles that were also stolen. The perpetrators were able to steal the vehicles because victims had left their Key Fobs inside the vehicles. Even if you hide the Key Fob it still allows the perpetrator to hit the push-button start and leave with the vehicle. Remove all keys and key fobs before leaving your vehicle. Also, double check that ALL vehicle doors are locked. If you observe someone breaking into vehicles do not approach them and immediately call 911. From a safe place provide 911 with an accurate description of the suspects, involved vehicles, and what direction the suspect is going. NO property is worth getting hurt over.
Current Crime Trends : Phone / Internet scams continue to be on the rise so I’ve reposted this from last month.
Scams
Scams are nothing new to the criminal game. One of the most common one in Cobb County is the Pine Straw Scam. The homeowner is quoted a price and about half way through completion of the job they are advised that the job will go over the quote. The homeowner assumes the increase maybe a few more hundred dollars but at the end the price is a thousand or two more. Sometimes the owner refuses to pay the ridiculous amount and a lower amount is settled on but unfortunately some feel intimidated and feel like they must pay. In this type of scam, the elderly are their target of choice.
Phone / Internet Scams
There has been an increase of phone/internet scams. These scams vary in topic and method but the common goal is to get the victim to send them money by trickery, threats, and blackmail. They will have the victim send money through a cash app or gift card. PCT 5 recently had an Uber driver that was hired to go the victim’s house and pick up cash. These suspects are very hard to identify and trace. They will use cash apps, emails, and internet phone numbers that are set up with fictious personal information and also use a third party who may not beware of the criminal activity.
Their internet anonymity allows them to conduct scams all over the world. It is very possible that the criminal contacting you is not even in the United States so even if somehow Law Enforcement was able to identify them, there isn’t a practical way in prosecuting. There isn't one single scam, like the pine straw scam, I can warn you about. These criminals are very imaginative and produce some decent stories. Some common themes are:
Impersonating law enforcement, credit card company, banks, IRS, service companies, utility companies , your company's corporate office, human resource, and assets protection department.
Dating websites, (the exchanging of phots then blackmailed).
A family member is hurt or in trouble and they are contacting you for help on their behalf.
An organized crime syndicate or cartel will kill you and your family unless payment is made.
The best defense against this is awareness of scammers and your social media accounts. If you suspect anything isn’t legit, do not respond and DO NOT SEND THEM ANY MONEY . If they receive money from you, they will continue the threats or blackmail in hopes you will send them more money. If the email, phone call, or text is from a company, call that company directly to verify the message.
Your social media footprint and basic on line information is generally their source for your information.
Computer savvy criminals can obtain a great deal of information about you.
What Can You Do ?
- Be aware of scammers. They are out there trolling the internet. They send out thousands of scam attempts to increase their chances of someone paying.
- Choose Strong Passwords for all your online accounts and make sure to change them regularly.
- Don’t clink on links or open attachments in emails from people you don’t know.
- Be careful about what information you share on social media and online platforms, manage your privacy settings. Remember, once posted, always posted.
- Beware of phishing scams where scammers try to trick you into giving them your personal information.
-Make a police report to document the incident for any future issues with identity fraud.
Det. Lieutenant T.M. Fuller
Det. Sergeant T.J. Richie
Criminal Investigation Unit Pct. 5
Cobb County Police Department
4640 Dallas Highway
Powder Springs, GA 30127
770-499-4578
Get real-time crime and safety alerts on your phone and tablet with the free Neighbors App by Ring. Connect with neighbors and police. Reduce local crime.