Office crime is one of the most reported workplace issues. Several key points to preventing office crime are to keep your purse, wallet or other valuable items with you at all times or locked in a drawer or closet. Make sure to check the identity of strangers who are in your office - ask whom they are visiting and if you can help them find that person. Don't forget to request identification from service or utility workers as well. If this makes you uncomfortable, inform security or management about your suspicions. Do not allow visitors to be alone in your office space. Be sure to provide an escort at all times. Be discreet. Don't advertise your social life or vacation plans and those of your co-workers to people visiting or calling your place of work.
 
These and many other workplace safety issuers can be found at the National Crime Prevention Council Web site, www.ncpc.org.

The City of Sandy Springs will present topical information at the City Open House on March 9, 2009, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The open house will be held in the Council Chambers at Sandy Springs City Hall, located at 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500.

The public is encouraged to attend the open house, which will focus on a variety of topics. The topics presented at each individual station range from the Police Department's updated crime statistics to the Recreation and Parks program offerings.

Continue reading the full release including the list of topics to be discussed.

The City is continuing its series of Town Hall Meetings this month with two meetings to update residents on City issues and other issues that are important to the council members' constituents.
 
Sandy Springs District 4 Councilmember Ashley Jenkins will hold her next Town Hall meeting on Monday, March 2nd. The main focus is an update on the neighborhood watch program and to introduce the new Police Chief Terry Sult. "It is critical that we continue the Crime Watch Program. It has been proven to deter crime," states Jenkins. "This program, along with our new Business Watch Program, can only be successful with input from active residents and business owners."
 
Councilmember Jenkins' meeting will be held at Woodland Elementary Charter School Media Center, 130 Spalding Drive, beginning at 7:00 p.m. All meetings are scheduled to last two hours and are open to all Sandy Springs residents.
 
Sandy Springs District 6 Councilmember Karen Meinzen McEnerny will host her Town Hall Meeting on Monday, March 16th at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will focus on the City's Fire and Police Departments and provide an overview of the City's finances and operations.

"We will have an update from our fire chief; I will introduce our new police chief; and most importantly an update on the City," said Meinzen McEnerny. "As you may have heard, our crime rate was down eight percent in 2008. We are doing some exciting new things with the fire department and EMS, such as automatic aid from City of Atlanta's Station 27 to add greater response to the western end of District 6 and induced hypothermia. This will be a chance to ask questions of both of our chiefs about these things and much more."

Councilmember Meinzen McEnerny's meeting will be held in the Inglett Room at Holy Innocents' Episcopal Church (on the eastern end of the campus), 805 Mt. Vernon Highway. Meetings are scheduled to last 90 minutes and are open to all Sandy Springs residents.

A homestead exemption is a reduction in homeowners' property taxes. To qualify, the homeowner must apply for this exemption on or before April 1st. Once granted, this exemption is automatically renewed each year as long as the home is continually occupied under the same ownership. The home must be the legal residence for all purposes including the registration of vehicles and the filing of income tax. A homestead exemption cannot be filed for rental property, vacant land or on more than one property. In addition to basic homestead exemption, there are additional exemptions for residents age 62 and older and/or disabled veterans. These exemptions must be applied for in person with Fulton County. For additional information and requirements, please contact 404-612-6440.