Dear residents,

I would like to invite all Johns Creek neighborhoods to the Police Department on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. (see story below) to learn about our PACT (Police and Community Together) program.

PACT is not just another neighborhood watch. PACT members learn how to be proactive in their neighborhoods, but also learn self-protection strategies, how to be a good witness, and home safety information.

Being a member of PACT is the best way to obtain information directly from the JCPD about public safety in your specific neighborhood, adjoining neighborhoods and the city overall. The program is open to all residents, whether you live in a HOA-governed subdivision or non-HOA governed apartment complex or home.

The JCPD officers who serve as liaisons for PACT will be here that night to introduce the program to you, and Sgt. Ronnie Young will also be on hand to answer any traffic concerns.

We hope each neighborhood will send one or two residents to this meeting. Please RSVP at 678-474-1561 or Kathy.Shiplett@JohnsCreekGA.gov.

The more our community is involved the better the JCPD can serve you. Together, we can continue to make Johns Creek the best city in Georgia to live in.

Stay safe,

Sgt. Debra Kalish
Community Services

P.S.  If you received this copy from someone else, sign up here to get your own copy each month.

In order to enhance communications between the JCPD and the community - particularly in the case of emergencies - we are asking each HOA or neighborhood to complete our new online HOA / Neighborhood Information form.

If you have supplied this information in the past, please complete this new form to make sure we have the latest information on how to contact your neighborhood about particular community policing services, crime alerts or crime issues.

Learn how to reduce crime in your neighborhood by joining us at Police Headquarters on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. for an "Introduction to PACT," the JCPD's new neighborhood watch program open to all Johns Creek residents.

The goal of PACT (Police and Community Together) is to bring residents and police officers together on a regular basis to communicate and work together to prevent residential criminal activity.

There is NO COST involved. Member neighborhoods receive PACT entrance signs, crime alerts and regular communication with the PACT officer assigned to them.

Every neighborhood is encouraged to send one representative to this session to learn more, share and discuss the information and then sign up.

RSVP or call 678-474-1561. Directions to Police Headquarters.

In response to a disproportionate number of young traffic and underage drinking violators in Johns Creek, the JCPD and Municipal Court have started two new Teen Diversion Programs for first-time offenders (excluding DUIs).

Both programs offer an educational alternative to punishment alone. Car crashes are the #1 cause of deaths in U.S. teens. Underage drinking can lead to alcohol poisoning and a criminal record, which can hinder college and careers in the future.

In conjunction with National Preparedness Month, Gov. Sonny Perdue asks all residents to "prepare, plan and stay informed" through Ready Georgia, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency's emergency preparedness awareness campaign.

Whether it's being prepared to respond to a natural disaster, a pandemic flu outbreak or any other large-scale emergency, the JCPD joins federal and state agencies in encouraging citizens to create a Ready Kit, develop a Family Emergency Plan and stay informed about potential local emergencies.

Over the last year, the number of calls to suicide hot lines and crisis centers in the U.S. has risen 140 percent. Consequently, police departments have responded and continue to respond to an increasing number of suicides and suicide attempts.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 is open 24/7 to provide free and confidential crisis counseling to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress through its nationwide network of 140 local crisis centers.

• FBI:  Asian Extortion Scam
• FBI:  Car cloning
• FBI:  Oprah's Millionaire Contest
• FBI:  Fake military twist on online vehicle sales
• FBI:  Nigerian letter mail fraud  (Note: JC residents have recently become victims of this old scam.)

Burglaries (Total 20): 10575 Bell Road, Blockbuster Video, Chelsea Ridge Apts., Citgo, Club Equity, Concord Hall, Country Club of the South (2), DoubleGate, Forest Lake, Hair Impressions, Indian Village, Montclair, Nesbit Place, River Walk, Saint Andrews Apts. (2), Timberlane (2), Thornhill.

Car break-ins (Total 27): 10820 Abbots Bridge Rd, Breckenridge, Camden River, Country Club of the South, DoubleGate (4), Emory Johns Creek Hospital, Evergreen Trace, Haynes Landing (2), Highland Park, Hyatt Place Hotel, 10875 Jones Bridge Rd, 11035 Jones Bridge Rd, Laurel Wood, 11720 Medlock Bridge Rd, Newtown Park, St. Ives, 5805 State Bridge Rd, 10985 State Bridge Rd, Sugar Mill, Summer Trace (3), Vicarage Walk.