National Stalking Awareness Month
		New "Super Speeder Law" starts Jan. 1
		AMBER Alerts: 14 years helping rescue abducted children
		HOA/Neighborhood Information Update
		Scam alerts
		Crime & traffic information for last month

Dear residents,

On a weekend afternoon earlier this month, a female resident was stalked by a male stranger inside and outside a local Kroger supermarket.

A review of the store's surveillance tapes showed that the man followed the woman into the store, watched her while she was shopping and then exited the store behind her. As the victim was loading her groceries into her vehicle, she said the man drove up beside her and began making sexual comments and suggestive actions. When a Brinks security truck drove up the man quickly drove off.

Like many people, the woman was probably operating "on autopilot," blind to what was going on around her. The best thing you can do to avoid being a victim is to be aware of your surroundings. If you think something is wrong, it probably is.

If a vehicle comes close to you or someone walks up to you, give yourself some space and make eye contact. This way the person knows you saw them. Criminals are less likely to attack if they think you are aware of them.

In this case the subject apparently wanted his victim to see him. It's always a good idea to be prepared, have some pepper spray on hand, just in case. Never hesitate to call 911 if you think someone is following you.

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

January 2010 marks the seventh annual observance of National Stalking Awareness Month, dedicated to educating the public about the serious - and at times deadly - crime of stalking.

Stalking generally refers to harassing or threatening behavior that an individual engages in repeatedly, such as following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property.

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, 3.4 million Americans (18 years and older) were victims of stalking in 2008. Tips for stalking victims.

For non-emergency assistance, call the National Crime Victim Helpline at 1-800-FYI-CALL (394-2255).

Georgia got tougher on illegal speeders Jan 1 when the new "Super Speeder Law" went into effect.

Designed to crack down on high-risk drivers who endanger other motorists and ignore warnings to slow down, the new law adds a $200 fine for any driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on any two-lane roads OR convicted of speeding at 85 mph and above anywhere in Georgia.

These new state fees are in addition to any local fines already in effect in Johns Creek and they will be used to help fund Georgia's trauma care hospital system. According to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, approximately 60 percent of all trauma-care patients are a result of vehicle accidents.

The AMBER Alert program is 14 years old this month. The voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry activates urgent bulletins in serious child-abduction cases.

Created after the Jan. 13, 1996, abduction and murder of 9-year-old Amber Hagerman in Arlington, Tex., the program has helped find and safely recover 495 abducted children across the U.S.

Johns Creek police join the U.S. Department of Justice in asking everyone to assist in the work of recovering abducted children by being aware and responsive to AMBER Alert postings.

You can receive local AMBER Alerts to your cell phone by email or text from Keep Georgia Safe.

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 online HOA / Neighborhood Information form.

If you have supplied this information in the past in other formats, please also complete this 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.

• CDC: Fraudulent emails referencing CDC-sponsored State Vaccination Program
• FBI: Fraudulent Automated Clearing House (ACH) Transfers re Malware and Work-At Home Scams
• FBI: Fraudulent Email Containing FBI "Intelligence Bulletin No. 267"
• FBI: Fraudulent Email Claiming to be from DHS and FBI Counterterrorism Division
• FBI: Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert (new)
• FBI: Hoax Email re FBI Intelligence Bulletin from Weapons of Mass Destruction
• FBI: Pop-Up Security Warnings Pose Threats (new)
• FBI: Spammers abuse U.S. Attorney General's name
• FBI: Spear-phishing emails target U.S. law firms and Public Relations firms
• FBI: Techniques used by Fraudsters on Social Networking Sites

Burglaries (Total 20): Amberleigh, Ayelesbury Farms, Breckenridge, Camden River (2), Chelsea Ridge Apts., Country Lake, Exxon Gas Station on Jones Bridge Road, Findley Chase, Johns Creek Walk, Long Indian Creek, Medlock Bridge Subdivision, Oakbridge, Riverglen, Rivermont (2), a residence on Tailey Circle, The Forest of North Fulton, Uptown Loft, and Village at Jones Ferry.

Car break-ins (Total 19): Avonlea, BP Station, Haynes Bridge Village SC, Just Fitness, Johns Creek Village (LA Fitness area) (5), Medlock Crossing, Medlock Plaza (Forum Athletic Club), Mikvah of Alpharetta (2), Mt. Pisgah Christian School, Riverwalk Marketplace (2), Shops at St. Ives, Sunrise Assisted Living, and Wellington.