We have just received the details on this incident from late September which had been reported on Nextdoor.

On September 26^th at the gas station at N. Highland and Virginia, APD responded to a reported carjacking. The victim reported that she was getting gas at approximately 1:15pm. When she finished pumping gas, she was approached by a black male with a shaved head wearing a gray shirt and black shorts. He had exited a gold Honda parked at the adjacent pump. He initially asked for help and she informed him she did not carry cash. The suspect then pulled out a handgun and told her to come closer. The victim refused and gave him her purse and car keys. The suspect then entered her black 2017 Jeep Wrangler and fled heading north on N. Highland and leaving the gold Honda behind.

The stolen vehicle information was entered into the license plate reader system and a lookout was issued citywide and to neighboring jurisdictions. Inside the stolen purse were credit and debit cards, ID, and an apple iPhone which was tracked to Courtney at Courtney Drive. Several APD units search the area and located the phone at the intersection but not the vehicle. At that time none of the cards had been used. The incident was captured on the gas station surveillance cameras.

In a related incident shortly before the carjacking, officers responded to a report of a gold vehicle stolen from Bibb County on the same date. It was reported to be located in the 600 block of Ponce de Leon Avenue, but the suspect had fled before police arrived. Since the suspect left this vehicle behind at the gas station, it was processed for evidence and towed.

No one was physically harmed in this incident

Recently we have heard complaints of some residents who are leaving their trash cans blocking the sidewalk instead of returning them to their own property after trash collection day. Some of the most common offenders are multi-family properties where management has not made appropriate arrangements for cans to be set out and put away on a regular basis. Though not regularly enforced, property owners can be fined for these violations, so we are posting a reminder of the ordinance covering this issue in an effort to avoid citations. 

Section 130-37 subsection 6

Collection containers provided to residences as provided in subsection (b)(1) of this section shall be placed in the area between the sidewalk and curb or in an accessible place approved by the commissioner, which shall be no more than ten feet from the curb. Containers not located within this area will be considered as "not set out" and the city will not be required to collect.

a. No person shall place any garbage or recyclable materials container in any place or in any manner such that the container impedes normal vehicular traffic, public transportation, or pedestrian or wheelchair access to public rights-of-way.

b. Containers shall not be placed at the curbside before 7:00 p.m. on the day preceding the collection day and shall be removed from the curbside before 9:00 a.m. the day following the collection day.

c. Exceptions to this subsection may be granted by the commissioner or authorized designee for persons with physical limitations that prevent placement of the collection containers at the curb, provided these persons submit a written request for the collection.

d. The department of public works will collect bagged extra garbage placed outside of the enclosed, city-provided container. Any bagged, extra garbage must be placed within a 32-gallon or smaller plastic bags. If bags are set out more than four times within a 12-month period, resident will be provided with an additional bin at no charge but will be subject to an additional annual service fee established under section 130-84, Rates and charges.

While we understand that a few residents have steep yards, no driveway or other limitations that do not make it practical to comply with these rules, we ask that everyone make a best effort to ensure sidewalks remain passable and that our neighborhood is attractive. If necessary please apply for an exception or back yard pick-up. The City of Atlanta website has more information, including the new rules for bulk pickup. 

Holiday Shopping and Package tips - The holiday shopping season is apparently upon us - as evidenced by store displays long before Halloween! We would like to issue the usual reminder to always to mind your surroundings.  Do not leave packages or items of value in your vehicle.  Stay on alert when walking to and from your vehicle at shopping malls and other retail locations. Try to get your packages as quickly as possible from your homes that are dropped off by USPS, FED-EX and UPS. You can also make arrangements to have packages delivered to Morningstar Storage on Ponce de Leon Place. Just stop in and fill out their form. 

UPS Partners with CVS for Package Delivery - UPS has a new program to allow you to pick up packages and drop off pre-labeled packages at select CVS Pharmacy stores. The program will be available now through January 12th and also offers rewards for use of the program. Lean more here. 

Virginia-Highland Security Patrol (VHSP formerly known as FBAC) Member Yard Signs Available - is your yard sign looking worse for wear? Have sun, rain and weed whackers taken their toll? Stop by John Wolfinger's front porch to pick up a replacement sign. We use the honor system, so please resist the urge to take a sign if you are not a dues paying member. Want to join? Find information here