Snellville PD: Major Crime Rarely Occurs in City Limits

Submitted by City of Snellville

Despite ranking 23rd in a recent news survey of Georgia’s safest cities, city officials want residents – and criminals – to know major crime rarely occurs within city limits.

City officials have said the survey data is misleading because it is based on zip codes and includes areas that are outside the city limits. Snellville city limits are within two zip codes - 30078 and 30039.

However, both codes include large areas of unincorporated Gwinnett County that are outside the city limits and Snellville Police Department jurisdiction. The two “Snellville” zip codes reaches from Stone Mountain to Loganville and from Lawrenceville to Lithonia. Crime stats from those areas were lumped into those in city limits and called “Snellville.”

In reality, crime within Snellville mostly takes place in the city’s retail corridor. The city’s residential neighborhoods also offer the type of environment that burglars find attractive.

During the first six months of 2014, within Snellville’s city limits, there have been no murders (only five in the entire history of the city), no rapes, five robberies and four aggravated assaults (an assault with a deadly weapon or attempt to kill), according to SPD statistics. All of the aggravated assaults were committed by people known to the victims, no life-threatening injuries resulted and all the perpetrators were arrested.

During the same six-month period, one arson, 19 burglaries, nine auto thefts and 342 other thefts were reported (The theft classification includes shoplifting and entering autos).

According to Council member Dave Emanuel, “The Snellville Police Department is a tremendous source of pride for our city. Virtually every member of the department is open and accessible to our citizens, and they all go above and beyond to keep our city safe. Criminals being who they are, you are never going to totally eliminate crime. However, statistics prove that with rare exception, if you commit a crime in Snellville, it’s only a matter of time before you find yourself in jail.”

Chief Roy Whitehead said the best crime prevention options are locking vehicles, securing valuables and keeping garage doors closed. In the event a theft occurs, having photographs of personal property and serial numbers on file is helpful in solving crimes and apprehending criminals, he said.

Snellville’s Citizens Police Academy and neighborhood crime awareness programs, such as the Snellville Neighborhood Alert Program, are available to residents who want to learn more about law enforcement and aid in the prevention of crime.