Decatur Police received two reports of burglaries this week.

According to Decatur Police Sgt. Jennifer Ross, on April 20 police received a call about a burglary in the 100 block of Springdale Street. The victim told police that the crime happened between 9 am and 9 pm. The burglar made their entry by breaking a sliding glass door. The burglar stole electronics from the home, Ross said.

Then on April 22, police responded to a report of a burglary in the 500 block of Nelson Ferry Road. The victim told police that the burglary happened between 12 pm and 7 pm. The burglar kicked in the back door. The burglar stole electronics and bicycles.

“Based on the size and amount of items taken the suspect(s) were most likely in a vehicle,” Sgt. Ross said.

Ross also provided a statement about how to tell whether someone is “suspicious” when deciding whether or not to call police. Right now there is an ongoing discussion in the community about alleged racial profiling by Decatur Police Officer. Some of those alleged instances came after residents called police because they saw a person who they thought looked suspicious.

Sgt. Ross did not reference the ongoing controversy, but in the past has said that people should focus on the behavior of suspects, not the color of their skin.

Here is the full statement from Sgt. Ross:

No police department can function effectively without the concerned assistance of community members. There is no way for officers to know where approximately 20,000 residents live and who or what vehicles normally come and go from individual homes. The police are dependent on you to call whenever you observe suspicious persons, activities or motor vehicles.

We sometimes fail to call the police simply because we are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious. Other times we may notice suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of seeming nosey or rude. Sometimes we assume someone else saw or heard something and already called. Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity and do it yourself, anonymously if you wish. You may have more information than another caller. Do not worry about bothering the police or being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Officers can quickly check out a person who may end up being a repair worker or friend who stopped by unexpectedly and make sure everything is okay. Think of what might have happened if you didn’t call.

HOW DO I IDENTIFY A SUSPICIOUS PERSON AS SUSPICIOUS?

People aren’t suspicious, behavior is. Although we say “suspicious person” or “suspicious vehicle”, it is in fact the behavior that is suspicious.

– Do you see someone you do not recognize loitering on a neighbor’s property or going to/coming from the side or rear of the house?

– Do you see a vehicle in your neighbor’s driveway, especially backed-in, that you do not recognize or at a time when nobody is usually home?

– Do you see person(s) going door to door, especially if they go to the side or rear of the house?

– Do you see someone waiting or loitering near a neighbor’s house, looking around as though they are trying to check to see if anyone is watching them?

– Do you hear glass breaking or the striking, banging noise caused by a door being kicked in?

– Do you see the same unknown vehicle circulating the area, driving slowly, stopping in front of your neighbor’s houses?

REMINDER: The Decatur Police Department will be hosting a burglary prevention presentation to provide an accurate overview of trends and methods seen in Decatur, show you what products and methods are available to reinforce common entry points and to provide prevention tips from a former burglar to help you make your home a less desirable target.

When: Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 6:30-8:00pm

Where: Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030

There is NO COST to attend. To reserve a seat for the presentation, please go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burglary-prevention-presentation-tickets-11269849423 or contact Sgt. Jennifer S. Ross at 678/553-6613.