Burglaries and thefts in DaltonYear 2009 / 2010*Burglary 202 / 263Theft 927 / 823* 2010 through NovemberSource: Dalton Police DepartmentSafety tips for preventing burglaries* Set up motion detector lights* Use a dead bolt* Trim shrubs around the house* Talk to neighbors about looking out for suspicious activity* Contact local beat officer to make extra patrols when going out of townSource: Dalton Police Department
DALTON, Ga. — City police highlighted burglaries and thefts as the main crime concerns for the city this year.
At a public forum Tuesday night, police from the city’s three subdivided districts pinpointed Underwood Street, Shugart Road and the neighborhoods near Walmart as some areas in which many property crimes are reported.
But there weren’t any Dalton residents to hear the police presentation. No one showed up at the forum.
“We won’t take it as a negative,” Lt. Chris Crossen said. “People feel like they can come to the police department anytime and don’t have to save it up for a meeting.”
Often people don’t show up in numbers at discussions on crime unless there is a communitywide concern, he said.
Overall, Dalton had 263 reported burglaries and 823 thefts this year, reports show. However, thefts did decrease by about 100 from last year, not counting December’s crime numbers.
Lt. Chris Cooke attributed some of the decrease in property crime to new strategies the police have used in the last year. One strategy had police dividing the city into three districts — East, West and South — then subdividing those areas into 99 concentrated beats.
But help from residents is essential, he said.
“The way crime prevention works is, without the communities help, it makes it harder for us,” said Cooke, who is in charge of the West District. “And so far, the program has been a big success.”
The East District, which is east of the city’s railroad tracks and north of West Walnut Avenue, has the highest crimes in the city because it’s the most populated area, said Lt. Mike Wilson, who is in charge of the district.
Auto burglaries are a big concern in the neighborhood and the rest of the city, but most of those crimes happen in unlocked cars, Wilson said.
Traffic crashes also are most numerous in the East District, totaling 221 since June, Wilson said. Glenwood Avenue and Underwood Street had the highest numbers of wrecks, and police have stepped up enforcing traffic laws on both streets, he said.
During the meeting, officers stressed the importance of local residents becoming familiar with the local beat officer assigned to their area. Complete lists are available at the police department’s website, Wilson said.
“[Beat officers’] job is to go out and try to meet as many people as they can,” Cooke said. “So if we do have a problem with that area, we can reach out.”
Contact staff writer Joy Lukachick at jlukachick@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6659.