I am pleased to announce that some major crimes, known as “Part One” crimes, are currently down, year to date. “Part One” crimes consist of the following offenses: homicide, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson. I am pleased with preventive patrols the officers have been conducting and know that the community members have also helped us to achieve this decline by reporting suspicious activity. I would like to ask the community members to please keep the tips and information coming in so that we can continue to combat crime. Remember, if you see someone at your neighbor’s house or business that shouldn’t be there, call us and let us come check it out.

I cannot express enough how important the aid of our citizens is in helping us to curtail crime. Last month, an attempted kidnapping incident occurred in the Hobby Lobby parking lot on Ga. Highway 138. Witnesses saw what was happening and contacted the police. One of the witnesses even followed the suspect and kept us up to date on his whereabouts. It was because of the assistance of these witnesses that we were able to take the suspect into custody. I cannot thank these witnesses enough for their help in this incident. It was invaluable and caused us to be able to take this suspect off the streets before he could prey on anyone else. 

Last Tuesday, the Senior Citizens Police Academy concluded and graduated 95 participants. This program has been a great success over the past several years and we are looking forward to the next one that is tentatively scheduled for the beginning of 2013.

Major Scott Freeman attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy during the beginning of the year and graduated from the program in March. Major Freeman is one of four current City of Conyers employees to achieve this. City Manager Tony Lucas, Chief Operating Officer David Spann and myself have previously attended and completed this program.

The FBI National Academy is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and agencies at home and abroad and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide. Leaders and managers of state and local police, sheriffs’ departments, military police organizations, and federal law enforcement agencies are eligible to attend. Participation is by invitation only through a nomination process. Participants are drawn from every state in the union, from U.S. territories, and from over 150 international partner nations.

While at the FBI National Academy Major Freeman completed physical achievements and earned the coveted yellow brick for running and also a blue brick for a 34 mile swim. 

I also want to extend my congratulations and appreciation to Probation Officer Scharita Green for achieving five years of service with the city of Conyers. 

I am extremely proud of these individual accomplishments that continue to make Conyers a desirable community to live in and work in.