Author: On Common Ground News

The Conyers Police Department is reminding the public to lock their vehicles after a rash of recent vehicle break-ins and burglaries. Sgt. Kim Lucas said 29 vehicles were broken into in a single night in the Valley Oaks, Lakeview Drive and O’Kelly Street neighborhoods. All the vehicles were unlocked and miscellaneous items were stolen in the early morning hours on Nov. 29, Lucas said. “We canvassed the area and we saw the dome lights were on in several vehicles. We knocked on doors to let people know they need to check their vehicle,” Lucas said. “We’re reminding people that they…

The DeKalb County Police Department has formed a mental health roundtable to develop training strategies to help police peacefully handle incidents concerning the mentally ill. DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond said the roundtable was formed after speaking with the parents of Quintas Harris, a 27-year-old mentally ill veteran who died after a shootout at an apartment complex with police on Aug. 3. Harris reportedly had a history of mental illness. “I had a private meeting with the mother and father of Quintas Harris and promised the parents that DeKalb County would do more to protect and save the lives of residents…

The City of Clarkston Police will be conducting an Active Shooter Awareness Class on Dec. 6, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Clarkston Community Center, 3701 College Ave., Clarkston. The public is invited to attend to learn what to do when an active mass casualty shooting occurs. Class topics will include Avoid/Deny/Defend (ADD) survival tactics and techniques, local law enforcement preparedness, response and readiness, and U.S. Active Shooter events information and data. There is no charge to attend the class.

DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond says the county is making good on its promise to wipe out blight in problem areas of the county and now he’s asking residents and other stakeholders to do their part and pitch in, too. Since taking office in January 2017, Thurmond has made fighting blight in DeKalb a top priority. The Board of Commissioners approved $3.8 million in reallocated funds for a multi-departmental effort that has been underway. So far this year, DeKalb County employees have removed more than 5,600 tons of debris, illegally dumped material and litter from more than 3,500 miles of roadway.…

The City of Conyers plans to hire four additional police officers, thanks to a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Rep. Hank Johnson, who has worked to prevent massive cuts to the COPS Hiring Program, announced the grant on Nov. 29. The program is designed to reduce crime and advance public safety through community policing by providing direct support to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies nationwide. “The COPS Hiring Grant Program is a cornerstone of the federal effort to support state and local law enforcement,” said Johnson. “These grants enable…

Rockdale BOC invites community to annual holiday drop-In The Rockdale County Board of Commissioners (BOC) is hosting its holiday drop-in on Dec. 12, 5 to 7 p.m., at the Board of Commissioners office, 962 Milstead Ave., Conyers. BOC Chairman Oz Nesbitt invites the community to stop by for refreshments, say hello and snap a holiday selfie. He says those who come need to move through quickly. The annual event draws a crowd. Olde Town Conyers to host 20th annual Christmas Tour of Homes The 20th Annual Christmas Tour of Homes in Olde Town Conyers will offer a candlelight walking tour…

DeKalb County was recently honored as a 2017 County of Distinction for its “Functional Zero” Veteran Housing Program. DeKalb was one of six counties in Georgia to receive the designation during the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia’s (ACCG) Legislative Leadership Conference, said Kathie Gannon, Presiding Officer for the DeKalb County Board of Commission. The term “functional zero” means the county has achieved a higher number of veterans in housing than homeless. “I am proud to support this housing, transitional, and supportive service initiative that targets our most vulnerable Veterans,” Gannon said. The Counties of Distinction designation recognizes counties that…

State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) has pre-filed House Bill 650, the Southern Monuments Bill, which would give local governments the authority to adopt resolutions to remove or modify monuments that are located on public property. “Citizens in the city of Decatur and DeKalb County have voiced their opinions and asked me to introduce legislation to allow local governments to decide to remove or modify monuments that are located in public spaces,” said Rep. Oliver. “This legislation would simply return this decision-making authority to Georgia’s cities and counties and provide more local control.” The NAACP and a group called Hate…

State Sen. Fran Millar of Dunwoody has received the Georgia Apartment Association (GAA’s) 2017 Friend of Housing Award. The presentation was made Nov. 16 during the GAA’s annual awards banquet, which was attended by more than 1,000 industry professionals. “Sen. Millar is a true asset to the citizens of Georgia,” said Chris Burns, chairman of the Georgia Apartment Association. “His commitment to education, economic growth and understanding of the importance of diversified housing made his selection for this year’s award easy.” The Friend of Housing Award is the only award GAA bestows on someone outside of the multifamily industry. Since…

Over 200 people helped Louise Evans-Jones celebrate her 80th birthday recently at the Lou Walker Senior Center in DeKalb County. Evans-Jones, an associate pastor of Overcomers Christian Fellowship in Lithonia, attended a gala in her honor. The 50-year DeKalb resident was lauded as a beacon in the community, who has lived by the motto: “Love God, Love yourself and Love God’s people.” Evans-Jones taught for the Atlanta Public School system for 37 years. She went on to work another 15 years for the Partnership for Community Action’s Early Headstart program in DeKalb. Ever committed to positively impacting her community, Evans-Jones…