SAFETY

• Any obvious criminal activity
• Street prostitution and drug activity
• Snooping, hiding, or wandering on private property or in alleys
• Peeking into parked cars
• Solicitors, especially those going door-to-door
• Unusual noises, such as glass breaking, screaming, or dog barking
• Irrational, menacing, or threatening conduct
• Walking down street with weapons or unusual object
• Property being taken out of houses or buildings where no one is at home or the business is closed
• Cars, vans, or trucks moving slowly with no lights or apparent destination
• Altercations and street fights
• Anyone being forced into a vehicle
• Sitting in a car day or night, especially when transactions are taking place
• A stranger stopping to talk to or lure a child
• If in doubt, err on the side of calling 911 – trust your instincts

Do not attempt to handle these situations on your own. Report these kinds of situations to 911 immediately.  

• Suspect(s): sex, race, age, height, weight, shoes, hair color, clothing, distinctive characteristics such as beard, mustache, scars, injuries or bleeding, items carried and accent/manner of speaking
• Vehicles: if a vehicle is involved note color, make, model, year, license plate, and special features such as stickers, markings, and dents

When calling 911 remain calm and give the following information:

• WHO you are – briefly identify yourself and your location
• WHAT you are reporting
• WHERE it is happening
• WAIT for additional questions by the 911 operator

Even though you may call 911 anonymously, it is helpful if you are available to police for clarification and information. Keep the line open once you make the 911 call. Once police address the incident, be sure to tell your neighbors and us about it at earliest convenience.

YES –

PLEASE ADVISE THE MNA OF ONGOING PATTERNS SUCH AS:

• Drug dealing – characterized by frequent, short visits by various individuals
• Vagrants camping & loitering
• Nuisance properties
• Litter accumulation
• Graffiti and street spam
• Abandoned and junked vehicles
• Suspicious and nuisance activity, such as panhandling and drug activity
• Dark places along streets, especially malfunctioning street lights
• Street prostitution and signs of such patterns

These things adversely affect neighborhood safety, quality of living, aesthetics and property values. The MNA can help address these issues through the most appropriate Board Member.  Please email your concerns to info@midtownatlanta.org.

• Do not park in dark, unlit areas
• Never leave your keys in the car
• Have your keys in hand so you can open the car door without delay
• Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running
• Always check the back seat of your car before getting in
• Never allow another vehicle to follow you home
• Always lock your doors while driving
• Always keep your car in gear when stopped at a traffic signal or stop sign, so if threatened in any way, you can quickly drive away
• If you stop to aid others, do not get out of the car; ask what the problem is and call 911

• Never pickup hitchhikers
• Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car
• If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up your car; do not argue; your life is definitely worth more than a car
• Get away from the area as quickly as possible
• Try to remember what the carjacker looked like—sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes
• Report the crime immediately to 911

Mass transit is an efficient and green way to move about our city.  With the increased density, it will become a vital component of our community.

Marta trains, buses and stations are well-lit and have closed circuit security cameras. You should always exercise caution.  Here are some helpful tips:

• Have your fare or pass ready in hand when boarding the bus
• Look around when getting off the bus or trolley, and be aware of people around you
• At night avoid dark and isolated intersections or stops
• During off hours, ride as near the operator as possible
• If someone on the bus bothers you, change seats and tell the operator

• Reassure your sliding doors:  Some older sliding doors are easily removed by simply popping them off of their frame, even when locked.  You can reassure their security by simply take a strong dowel, steel bar or two-by-four and slide it into the back groove.
• Be sure your windows and doors (including side doors) are locked:  More than 40% of break-ins happen without the use of force. This means many people are leaving their houses without locking the doors and windows.  Don’t forget to put your garage door down.
• Be strategic about your spare key:  It may seem like a good idea to leave a spare key hidden under a flowerpot or doormat, but that is an open invitation for a burglar to walk inside without any difficulty.  Criminals can also be watching and see you retrieve the key, giving away your hiding place.  Instead, give a spare to a neighbor you know well or friend who lives nearby for safekeeping.  Please remember to never put anything identifying on your keys like your name or address.
• Confuse the burglar:  If burglars can tell that someone is home, there’s a smaller chance that they will attempt to break-in.  When you leave the house, create an illusion that someone’s still there.  Leave a light on or the radio.  Keep in mind, most home burglaries take place during the workday.
• Hold your deliveries:  When traveling, be sure to stop your mail with the United States Postal Service.  If you know a delivery will be arriving, make arrangement to be home to receive it or provide instructions to a neighbor.  A full mailbox is an indication that you are not home.  There have been frequent reports of package theft – so stay on top of those shipments and do your best not to leave them sitting outside.

• Always leave your headlights on when arriving home after dark until you have unlocked the garage door or unlocked the front door
• When getting dropped off, ask the driver to wait unto you are safely inside
• Have your keys in your hand so you can open the door immediately when you return home
• When moving into a new apartment or residence, ALWAYS have the locks re-keyed, or changed
• Know who is at your door before opening it – wide-angle door viewers enable you to identify the visitor
• Never rely on chain locks; they are a privacy lock, not a security lock
• Never let any service tech into your home without proper identification; do not be afraid to ask
• Never let strangers into your home to use the telephone
• If you receive a wrong number phone call, don’t give out your name or phone number
• If you suspect anyone is in your house, do not go in; call 911
• If you see or hear anything suspicious, call 911

• Be aware:  When out and about on the street always be aware of your surroundings and do not use devices that distract you or hinder your awareness of those around you.
• Keep the volume down:  If you are wearing headphones, keep the volume at a level that still makes it possible to hear outside noises
• Choose streets wisely:  Do not walk on deserted streets, streets that are not well-lit or not heavily traveled.
• Walk confidently, don’t wander:  Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace.
• Walk in numbers:  Ask to have a friend walk with you.  There is always safety in numbers.
• If someone is following you:  If someone suspicious is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help.
• Call 911:  Report any suspicious activity or person immediately to 911

ATMs are a prime location for robbery.  Follow some helpful steps to avoid danger:

• Use bank terminals when possible:  Using ATMs you are familiar with reduces your time at the machine.  Using bank ATMs will have the added benefit of security cameras and sufficient lighting.
• Be aware:  Look around before conducting a transaction. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and go to another ATM.  When making an ATM transaction from your car, be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep car doors locked.

• Be aware:  watch for suspicious persons that do not seem to have legitimate business
• Parking lot:  look into your car before entering it
• Trash handling:  do this task in pairs
• Opening the business:  have two employees meet and unlock the business
• Closing the business:  employees should accompany each other to their vehicles; if this is not possible, when available, a security guard for the shopping center can escort the last employee to his/her car
• Bank deposits: Making bank deposits alone can be dangerous.  Employees making deposits should always try to go in pairs. If you are alone, vary deposit times and carry the deposit inside a purse or a plain bag.  Do not use a bank bag or a bag with a name on it.
• Panic buttons:  install panic buttons at the front counter; make sure there are phones near both front and rear entrances
• Controlling access:  keep buildings locked whenever public access is not necessary; keep secondary exits locked; limit access to secondary exits by non-employees by having doors alarmed and labeled “EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY”
• Keep restrooms locked:  be in control of access to restrooms and storage areas
• Visibility:  keep parking and walking areas well lit; keep the area around the building clear of debris; stacks of boxes and pallets can be hiding places for assailants; install mirrors or closed circuit TV in rooms with blind corners and in enclosed parking facilities

• Panic buttons:  Install panic buttons at the front counter. Make sure there are phones near both front and rear entrances.
• Controlling Access:  This enhances personal security.  Keep buildings locked whenever public access is not necessary. Keep secondary exits locked.  Limit access to secondary exits by non-employees by having doors alarmed and labeled “EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY” or limit access to the area around the door.
• Keep Restrooms Locked:  Be in control of access to restrooms, storage areas, etc.  This prevents assailants from hiding in waiting and “breakouts.”
• ID Badges for Access Control: They are only as good as the enforcement of the policy.
• Visibility:  This increases safety.  Keep parking and walking areas well lit, and keep the area around the building clear of debris.  Stacks of boxes and pallets can be hiding places for assailants. Install mirrors or Closed Circuit TV in rooms with blind corners and in enclosed parking facilities.

If confrontation does occur:

• Don’t be a hero; do nothing to risk your personal safety
• Consider all guns, or threat of guns, as loaded weapons
• Activate alarms only if you can do so without detection
• Attempt to alert co-workers only if you can do so safely
• Follow directions exactly, without volunteering
• Without seeming obvious, study attacker’s distinguishing features