August 6, 2011
Community
CrossRoadsNews
A5
Residents chatted with elected officials, including Commissioner Larry Johnson and Judge Johnny Panos.
Communities rally for anti-crime Night Out By Carla Parker
Belvedere residents and neighborhoods across South DeKalb joined DeKalb police, firefighters and elected officials for the 28th Annual National Night Out on Aug. 2. The evening of cookouts, performances and games brought communities together to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts. This year’s theme was “Focusing on Community Assets and Building a Legacy.” The Belvedere Civic Club, South Candler Neighborhood Advocate organization and Studio Steffanie, an entertainment and modeling agency, gathered at Shoal Creek II Park in Decatur to celebrate their 10th anniversary of National Night Out. Ann Brown, Belvedere Civic Club president, said this year’s event, which drew about 50 people, was about giving out information. “We have the DeKalb NAACP passing out voter registration forms and Healthy Belvedere Initiative giving out information on
About 50 people turned out for the National Night Out observance at Shoal Creek II Park in Decatur on Aug. 2 to get to know each other and law enforcement.
Carla Parker / CrossRoadsNews
health and wellness.” Residents chatted with elected officials, including Commissioner Larry Johnson and DeKalb State Court Judge Johnny Panos. Johnson praised the observance. “It’s all about coming together and working with one another and law enforcement to bring a stop
to crime,” he said. Belvedere resident Richard Miller said the Civic Club does a good job of informing the community of activities. More than 12,000 communities nationwide marked the observance, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.
Three detention officers arrested, two fired in probe Three detention officers from the DeKalb Sheriff ’s Office were arrested on July 26 after an ongoing internal investigation. Officers Nelson Seals, Jean Bruno and Debra Grier were taken into custody and charged in relation to a May 15 incident involving an unnecessary use of force toward an inmate, untruthfulness during an investigation and violation of oath of office. The inmate, whose name has been withheld, was brought into the DeKalb County Jail on a disorderly conduct charge after an incident at a Memorial Drive eatery. Spokesman Sgt. Adrion Bell said the in-
vestigation revealed that a verbal altercation occurred between Seals and the inmate over when the inmate could use the bathroom. The altercation turned physical, resulting in a misdemeanor simple battery charge and a violation of oath of office charge on Seals. The investigation also revealed that Bruno and Grier witnessed the incident and failed to stop it or properly report it to their supervisors, resulting in violation of oath of office charges. The three have been suspended without pay pending termination. Two other officers were fired. Detention Officer Emmett Kater was terminated for
violation of oath of office and Detention Officer Jean Silivus for fired for refusing to cooperate with sheriff ’s investigators. The incident was brought to the attention of the Sheriff ’s Office on July 22 when a letter was received from the inmate’s attorney outlining the allegations. Sheriff Thomas Brown expressed disappointment in the actions of his officers. “I will not tolerate abuse by any of my officers against any person that they are sworn to detain prior to or thereafter their day before a judge,” he said, adding that two other employees will face suspension time.
Free curbside recycling service Residents in single-family dwellings in unincorporated DeKalb County and the city of Lithonia can participate in free curbside recycling opportunities. Aluminum cans are picked up on the first household garbage collection day of the week, and newspapers are collected on the second household garbage collection day. Yard debris that has been properly prepared for hand collection will be picked up each week on designated yard debris collection day for single-family residences. To recycle mixed papers and commingled containers (plastic, glass and food containers), residents also can subscribe to the county recycling program for $30. For more information, visit www. co.dekalb.ga.us/publicwrks/sanitation/ san_Residential_Curbside_Recycle.html. DeKalb also has drop-off recycling locations. Mixed paper containers are located at all DeKalb County fire stations and many county public buildings. The green containers have a slide-through slot opening in front. Mixed papers that may be dropped off include newspapers, phone books, magazines, catalogs, office paper, cardboard, chipboard and junk mail. Paper items must pass through a 6-inch-by-4-foot slot opening to be recycled. Residents can break down cardboard boxes at home, throw away all packaging in the household garbage, and take the folded cardboard and other papers to the closest mixed paper container. The DeKalb Farmers Market also has a free recycling center, where residents can sort their own recyclables.