FAQS

Helpful Information

FAQs: FAQs

WHY AND HOW WAS THE PATROL STARTED

For many years residents in Old 4th Ward had expressed interest in having safety/security patrol. Other neighborhoods surrounding Old 4th Ward have them, so why didn't we. have one? The issue came up in a Fourth Ward Alliance (FWA) newsgroup so a few FWA residents who wanted to make it a reality got together, did more than a year of research and due diligence and decide to give it a shot. Ten years later, the patrol has been working within the community.

WHO RUNS THE PATROL

The patrol is run by Lieutenant Isom, a veteran of the Atlanta Police Department (APD), who is retired but on the equivalent of the APD "Reserves". His experience and connections within APD are critical to the success of our Patrol. Lt. Isom has all of the arrest and other police powers that active APD officers have and is armed when on duty. Lt. Isom spends significant time working with those most at need in our community to get them involved and strengthen the Old 4th Ward.

WHAT IS THE PATROL'S GOAL AND WHAT DOES IT DO

The goal of the Patrol is to conduct proactive, community based policing across a defined patrol area in the Old 4th Ward. This has developed a police presence in our patrol area that goes beyond what the APD can currently provide due to their limited resources. While our Patrol will make arrests of people who are committing crimes in our patrol area and respond to member and 911 calls, much of the Patrol's efforts are aimed at providing additional police presence designed to proactively deter crime. In addition, our Patrol will focus on "Quality of Life" issues in our patrol area such as deterring graffiti, loitering, scoping of targets, code violations, etc.

HOW IS THE PATROL GOING TO DETERMINE WHERE TO PATROL AND WHAT TO FOCUS ON?

Our Patrol will pull crime statistics from APD for our area and adjacent areas to get a sense of what types of crimes or issues need to be addressed. Our Patrol will, of course, discover and address issues it fits while on patrol and will rely on leads/information provided by the membership as well. Our Patrol will also regularly communicate and collaborate with APD and neighboring neighborhood security patrols like the Inman Park Patrol, Midtown Ponce Security Alliance, Virginia Highlands and the Poncey Highlands Security Patrol.

WHAT SERVICES DOES THE PATROL PROVIDE?

The primary service is proactive, community based policing and increased police presence in our focused patrol area for our members. Our Patrol will make arrests when crimes are in progress, respond to calls from members and proactively work to solve various quality of live issues. The ultimate goal is to send a clear message to potential criminals that our streets are being policed and they should think twice about coming to our area to commit crimes.

Each member has the mobile number of the patrol to reach out to the officer during patrol hours, access to the Old 4th Ward Patrol Newsletter which contains useful crime statistics, and the ability to proceed security and public safety concerns and information to the patrol to be addressed.

WHAT KIND OF INFORMATION DO I GET WHEN I SIGN UP & HOW TO I CONTACT THE OFFICER IF I NEED HIM?

Each new member will receive a new member package that will include an Old 4th Ward Patrol yard sign for residential and a window decal for businesses, general information, the mobile phone number of the patrol officer to call when he is on duty. Members will also receive the Old 4th Ward Patrol email newsletter with relevant security and safety information.

WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A SECURITY PATROL WHEN I AM ALREADY PAYING TAXES FOR APD?

You're right - we are paying taxes for police. But the fact is that APD does not have as many police officers and supporting equipment as it wants and is stretched too thin. It has been this way for many years and will likely remain that way for some time. As a result, many neighborhoods in Atlanta have developed privately funded security/safety patrols to enhance security in their communities.

WHAT IS THE PATROL AREA?

Northern Border - Up to, but not including Ponce de Leon Avenue

Western Border - Up to but no including Boulevard

Southern Border - Highland Avenue (west of Randolph/Glen Iris); Irwin (east of Randolph/Glen Iris)

Eastern Border - Beltline Railroad Corridor