People often say "We're not in Mayberry anymore" and many times in city neighborhoods that is true. But it doesn't have to be. Everyone wants to live in a great neighborhood. In the communities or Ormewood Park, Grant Park and East Atlanta we have great neighborhoods but with the reduction in police presence and increase in property crimes that "Mayberry" feel is slipping further away. People are beginning to feel less safe in their homes and often now the streets are less populated at dusk than they used to be. It doesn't have to be this way! You have the power to make a positive change within your neighborhood.
 
Safe Atlanta For Everyone (http://safe-atlanta.org/) is a neighborhood organization dedicated to empowering individuals to make positive changes in their communities to make them stronger and safer. SAFE was formed in the summer of 2008 by citizens concerned about the upswing in crime. Through ongoing workshops we have identified several initial programs that anyone can implement in their own neighborhood including:

• SAFE Watch - an extended neighborhood watch program designed to cross geographic borders like streets, city limits and county lines to create a stronger and safer community. 
• Graffiti Removal - teams of volunteers document andreport graffiti as well as remove it.
• Flyer Distribution - shares personal and public safety information with those members of the community who are not yet online. 
• Cell phone Distribution - collects unused, working cell phones and distributes them to elderly members of the community so they are able to call 911.
• Refuse To Be A VictimŽ Workshops - which provides community organizations with instructors certified to teach this nationally-recognized crime prevention program. First class is May 12.

Along with these programs, SAFE will be hosting their first annual "SAFE Spring Mixer" to be held at the Holy Taco Restaurant in the East Atlanta Village on Monday, May 11th from 6 to 8pm. Come out and bring your family and friends to meet your neighbors, learn about ways to be SAFE in your daily life and enjoy some good food. There will be drink specials and free chips and salsa!
 
Please remember that we as individuals do have the power to facilitate change and together we can accomplish anything. Get involved! Get motivated! Stay SAFE!
 
 
 *non-smoking/kid friendly

Tickets for the 6th Annual East Atlanta Beer Festival  (a local 501(c)3) are now on sale! Tickets available online at www.eabfonline.com for $30.

• Where:  1205 Metropolitan Avenue
• When:  Saturday, May 30, 2009 from 1:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Sample over 120 craft beers and visit the shops and restaurants of the East Atlanta Village.

Food from local East Atlanta restaurants and organizations available onsite. Cash only (ATM available).

New this year:

• Addition of a second stage - EABF will feature live local music from Deep Blue Sun, The Mixx, The Nashvillain Family Band, Uncle Daddy and the Kissin Cousins, and several local DJs
• 200 limited VIP Tickets available for $55. Benefits include express entrance, VIP tent with exclusive beer tastings, complimentary food offerings from one of East Atlanta's own restaurants, VIP bathrooms, and a free Festival pint glass

EABF Proceeds benefit community projects.

 

About FitWit
The FitWit training program is devoted to challenging fitness across all elements while tracking performances and building a sense of community with our members. FitWit fitness camps are six-week group sessions and are supervised by licensed trainers and are open to all fitness levels - from people looking to get back into shape or even seasoned athletes. The team approach to fitness helps motivate participants while professional trainers help members focus on proper form and goal-oriented exercise. Our focus on community is equally important as we make conscious efforts to have campers connect and network with each other outside of camp by hosting socials and other functions.

The weekly detailed crime report for April 19th - April 25th.

To learn more about the East Atlanta Security Patrol or to enroll, visit the EASP website (http://patrol.eaca.net). The cost to join the patrol is $50 per quarter, with a 50% discount for longtime residents and those 65+. To qualify, you must have lived at the same address for 20 years or be over age 65.  We also have a 20% discount for members of an APD-sanctioned Neighborhood Watch.  Please contact us if you're interested in setting up a Neighborhood Watch on your street.
 

If you have additional questions, please direct them to securitypatrol@eaca.net, or call EACA Public Safety Chair Myron Polster at 404-429-8815.

Join or renew your EACA membership today! Annual dues are $10 per household. As an EACA member, you can vote at EACA meetings on topics of interest within our community. Additionally, there are numerous local businesses who offer discounts to EACA members. See the official list of EACA member discounts and take advantage of them by showing your 2009 membership card throughout the Village.

You can sign up for your 2009 EACA membership and order EACA Yard Signs on-line! Pay electronically through your online banking site or via Paypal HERE.

 

Contact Information:
E-mail: newsletter@eaca.net
Website: http://eaca.net

Submissions:
If you're interested in submitting an article to the EACA weekly newsletter, send it to newsletter@eaca.net by the end of the day on Friday. Include relevant dates, times, locations and contact information, as well as details of the event or announcement.