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FAQs
What is the Patrol?
The Candler Park-Lake Claire Patrol is a neighborhood-run, non-profit organization that supplements policing by the Atlanta Police Department with more neighborhood specific patrolling staffed by off-duty APD officers. The CPLC Patrol officers drive a community provided vehicle that is marked with the CPLC Patrol logo and amber lights and patrols ONLY in the Candler Park and Lake Claire neighborhoods. The officers working for the CPLC Patrol will respond to 911 calls in the area while on patrol for the CPLC Patrol. Our officers, while working a shift for us, cannot be dispatched by APD outside of our area.
Can I call the Patrol when I see a criminal act in progress or suspicious activity?
You should call 911 upon seeing any criminal act or suspicious activity. The Patrol works most efficiently when calls go directly to 911. Our Patrol officers are aware of calls to 911 and respond when on patrol.
Who does the patrolling?
We only use Atlanta Police Department officers during their off-duty hours. Our officers come mainly from Zone 6 and the majority are members of specialized units within APD.
How do you know that the officers are actually patrolling?
We have the ability to track the patrol vehicle remotely via GPS and we routinely review routes and patrol times against the invoices submitted by the coordinating officer. Access to this data is tightly guarded and not released to our membership.
How are officers paid? Are board members paid?
Membership dues, donations, and sponsorships pay the officers for the hours they work for the neighborhood. The Board is 100% volunteer and does not receive any payment. Any revenue that the patrol takes in is used to directly fund patrol hours, the patrol vehicle, and any administrative costs (accounting, software, website, etc.).
How can a business support the CPLC Patrol?
Businesses are encouraged to sponsor the Patrol with opportunities to be mentioned on this website, our social media, in newsletters, event signage, and there are a limited number of sponsorships available on the patrol vehicle. Please contact the board via this site to learn how to sponsor the patrol.
When and where in the neighborhood are the patrols conducted?
The number of patrol hours is DIRECTLY related to how many members join and thus how much patrolling we can afford. Patrol times and locations are not rigidly scheduled but are instead devised by the Coordinating officer based on the latest crime stats and trends. As you can imagine, posting patrol hours would increase the likelihood that the criminal element is able to survey the neighborhood without fear of detection.
Can I get specific patrolling of my home when I am on away on vacation or business travel?
Yes, you can request a vacation patrol via this site. The Patrol Board will inform the Patrol Coordinator to arrange for a patrol check on your single family home. This benefit is available only for members in good standing.
Will I get a sign to show I am a supporter of Patrol?
Subject to availability and budget you may request a yard sign by e-mail to cplcpatrol@gmail.com. This not only indicates that your household supports the Patrol but helps spread the word to prospective members and criminals that CPLC neighborhood takes its safety seriously. You are welcome to display the sign so long as you are a member in good standing.
What if I think more Patrol hours are needed?
We encourage members to reach out to neighbors, local businesses, and friends in the area to suggest they join the patrol. The more members we have the more patrol hours are available.
Can my multi-family complex or HOA join?
Yes, Please contact the board to discuss pricing and terms.
Won’t the Police just stop patrolling our neighborhoods if we have a private patrol?
The Atlanta Police Department will continue to patrol our neighborhood. Given their resources, the reality is that APD cannot patrol as well without supplemental help as they can with a neighborhood patrol assisting them. Since the Patrol has access to 911 calls, this means more enforcement for our neighborhoods.
Are the patrol personnel armed? Well-trained?
Each patrol person is an Atlanta Police officer, and as such, they are armed, have the power to make arrests and have received Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (P.O.S.T.) training like other law enforcement in the state.
Do the patrol officers know what else the Police know about safety in these neighborhoods?
Yes, since all our patrol officers are also APD Officers, they have access to reports, dispatch information and officers on our Zone 6 beat.
Are we the only Patrol in this part of Atlanta?
Inman Park, Druid Hills and Kirkwood each have contracted patrols, so we are surrounded by neighborhoods with patrols.
Are my dues tax-deductible?
No. Since the Patrol is a service of value to its members, and because of the nature of 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, your dues payments are not tax-deductible.
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