Text and photo by Matt Johnson.
The Candler Park Lake Claire Patrol (CPLC Patrol) has been a valuable community program since 2016, when a group of neighbors formed a 501c(4) corporation to provide supplemental police presence in the neighborhoods.
Today, this program is as important as ever, as it ensures there is an officer patrolling the Candler Park and Lake Claire neighborhoods.
Our “beat,” number 608, has an officer assigned, but that officer can be called to other parts of Zone 6 (an area stretching from close to Brookhaven in the north to Gresham Park in the south; from downtown in the west to Candler Road in the east) or be directed to special duties by the Atlanta Police Department. In contrast, the CPLC Patrol officers, when working, are dedicated to our area, have full police powers, are in uniform, and have radio support from APD.
Candler Park Crime Data – 2014 to 2023:
| Year | Total Crimes Reported |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 224 |
| 2015 | 183 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2017 | 148 |
| 2018 | 139 |
| 2019 | 146 |
| 2020 | 95 |
| 20211 | 140 |
| 20221 | 177 |
| 20231 | 133 |
Candler Park’s total number of crimes reported has been on a downward trend since the inception of the patrol as shown by APD’s crime reporting data. While the patrol alone cannot be credited with the decrease, our APD partners believe that neighborhood patrols are an effective crime deterrent that has shown results in our neighborhood.
Note: APD crime statistics reporting changed in 2021 making direct comparison of individual crimes problematic. Total crimes prior to 2021 may be higher based on the limited reporting available.
Unfortunately, patrol membership has declined in recent years, but it needs your support to continue to exist, expand and ensure long-term viability. Our membership was 440 in 2017 and is now just 240. The result has been a reduction in the number of patrol hours to the current 80 per month. With more members we can increase patrols, hire additional officers, and improve the patrol’s ability to serve the community.
Please join the CPLC Patrol at www.cplcpatrol.com and help keep this valuable resource for our neighborhood.
Q&A
How is CPLC Patrol budget spent?
80 percent of our expenses are used directly to fund patrol hours via officer pay. The next largest expense is gas and maintenance on the patrol car followed by paying a bookkeeper to ensure the accounting is properly done.
When is the patrol running?
We do not divulge the schedule in advance for the simple reason that we need to maintain a certain “randomness” in order to stay effective. We currently have 80 budgeted patrol hours per month.
What do the officers do on shift?
For the most part, officers drive the CPLC Patrol car and look for suspicious activity and provide a visible presence in the area. If there are reports of criminal activity in an area they may sit in the area. Unlike in the past, they need to radio in any observations of property crimes in progress before intervening. The officers will respond to urgent 911 calls and will pick up non-emergency calls that do not require investigation.
What does the CPLC Patrol board plan for 2024?
We are looking to expand patrol hours, provide a long overdue raise to the officers, update the website, and replenish our supply of yard signs as a start. To do this, we need increased revenue and do not want to raise membership dues.
We haven’t heard from the patrol in a while, what’s up?
The patrol needs a volunteer who is adept at marketing and creative writing. If you can help please contact us. If you have any security-related content requests or questions you would like answered, please email cplcpatrol@gmail.com and we’d be happy to answer via a newsletter and on social media.
Matt Johnson is the APD Liaison, Communications Director, and Membership Director for the CPLC Patrol. He has lived in Candler Park since 2005.