Question: What if my Ring doorbell or other "smart device" alerts me of an issue while I am out of town?

You can call 404-658-6666 instead of 911 to report an issue at your home if you are away, including out of town.

Question: Is construction and related noise limited to certain hours?

Answer: Yes, new construction and significant renovations require a building permit posted on the property. Construction noise is restricted to 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. on weekends and legal holidays. See the Atlanta Building Code for more information. If a building permit is not posted, then report your concern to: CodeBustersDCP@AtlantaGA.gov. For construction noise outside of the permitted hours, call 911.

Question: Does Daylight Savings Time have an impact on neighborhood safety? 

Answer: Unfortunately, and surprisingly, yes. When Daylight Saving Time ends, sunrise and sunset times will be one hour earlier. It also means that there will be an extra hour to sleep on Sunday morning. An uptick in crime often happens, so make sure you clean out your vehicles, lock them and park off street, if possible.

Question: How come I don't see our security patrol around the neighborhood very often? 

Answer: We currently receive approximately 40 hours per month of security patrol & home away watch services, conducted by off-duty APD officers. Because of our limited number of hours (based on our budget), we focus our patrol during those days and time when crime is most likely to happen—mostly later in the evening and very early in the morning. Generally, our neighborhood doesn't see much crime during the daylight hours, so you're less likely to see our patrol out when you're out with your kids or walking your dog. If you are in danger or witness a crime in progress, always call 911 regardless of what day or time it is. Then follow up with message to our Security Patrol. We would love to expand our security patrol hours and capabilities—please encourage your neighbors to become a PHCA Member so that we have more revenue to dedicate to this benefit that helps the whole community!

Question: What should I do if I think someone caused a fender-bender on purpose?

Answer: In October 2020, there was an incident just like this at the intersection of Montgomery Ferry and Monroe. When the victim got out of their car to check on the driver who caused the accident, they were robbed. Always call 911 if you feel the situation is unsafe, and do not exit your car until you're sure the situation is safe.  Leave enough room in front of your car so that you can see the rear bumper of the car in front of you - then you'll have room to drive away if something isn't as it seems. 

Question: What if my neighbors are being loud? 

Answer: Whether it's a party or a dog outside barking, noise from neighbors can be annoying. If you feel comfortable, call your neighbor or knock on the door, and ask them to take the party inside, lower the volume, or bring the dog in. Otherwise, the City of Atlanta has a noise ordinance (see details below); you can call 911 to report violations. Also call 911 if strobe lights or other out-of-the-ordinary situations besides noise are involved. If possible, record your call to 911 so that the offending noise is audible, and consider recording a video from the distance listed below and walk to where it originates to document the incident as you wait for a police officer to arrive. 

At night, people are in violation if an officer can hear a noise 100 feet away between:

• 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Sunday to Thursday 
• Midnight and 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday

During the day, people are in violation if an officer can hear noise 300 feet away between:

• 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday
• 7 a.m. and midnight Friday and Saturday

Read more: Article from 2018 and City of Atlanta official ordinance

Question: What can I do to avoid my car being stolen?

Answer:  Don’t leave your keys in an unlocked car (it happens more than you'd think)! And don’t leave your car running and unattended, even if it’s in your driveway or “just for a second” when you’re running errands. Also, check to be sure your keyfob inside your home isn’t too close to your vehicle outside, so that the car can’t be unlocked and/or started when the fob is inside. 

Question: What can I do to avoid my car being broken into?

Answer: Practice the Clean Car Campaign! Do not leave anything visible in your car! Purses, loose change, car chargers, computers, work bags, gym bags, and weapons or firearms. If possible, don't even leave these items in your glove box or trunk! Typically (of course there are always exceptions), your window won't get smashed if nothing is visible. We don't recommend leaving your car unlocked, as it will likely be rifled through and potentially damaged. 

Question: What other vehicle safety tips does the Atlanta Police Department recommend?

Answer: They have several tips, including:

• When remotely starting your keyless entry vehicle, keep the car in clear view.
• Always lock your vehicle when unattended.
• Never leave keys/key fobs in your vehicle.
• Never leave valuables, such as firearms, laptops, phones, purses, etc. in your vehicle.
• Never leave children or pets in your vehicle.
• Never leave your garage opener in your vehicle when it's parked outside.
• Never leave your windows down when your vehicle is unattended.
• Never leave your vehicle running unattended—especially keyless entry vehicles. 
• If you see something, say something—call 911.

Question: What are some tips to avoid mail theft?

Answer: Criminals across the country are using the internet and social media to coordinate strategic targeting of outdoor Post Office collection boxes, especially over weekends and federal holidays. Some tips to avoid having your outgoing mail stolen include:

• The most secure way to send mail is through the local Post Office retail counter. Otherwise, use an indoor collection slot that deposit mail directly into the Post Office.
• If using the Postal Service’s outside blue collection boxes, never deposit mail after the last dispatch time (the times are posted on the boxes). Don't leave mail during the night, Sundays, and federal holidays.
• If you see someone going into a collection box, call 911 and notify postal inspectors at 877-876-2455.

For your home's mailbox, consider these tips as well:

• Sign up for Informed Delivery so that you will be notified about what mail to expect from USPS.
• Don't leave your outgoing mail to sit overnight in your mailbox. Put it out the next morning (except on Sundays).
• If you are going out of town, submit a mail hold order to pause your mail delivery.
• If you think you are a victim of mail theft, call 911 and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.