State leaders stand up for antisemitism hate crime bill

By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com

ATLANTA — State lawmakers and leaders from Georgia’s Jewish community stood together under the gold dome Wednesday, Feb. 22 to support House Bill 30, which creates a standard definition for antisemitism under Georgia law.

According to state Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) who co-sponsored the bill with Rep. Esther Panitch (D-Sandy Springs), HB 30 would have Georgia adopt the internationally recognized definition of antisemi- tism and strengthens protections for those who might be affected by discrimination and hate crimes.

The bill has received wide bipartisan support from state lawmakers and passed out of the house judiciary committee Tuesday, Feb. 21.

“I'm here because I believe that this is right, this is moral, and this is just the right thing to do for people that are constantly being persecuted,” Carson said at a press conference held Wednesday at the capitol.

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Narcotics arrest made following loitering call

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police arrested an Atlanta man Feb. 16 for multiple drug charges after officers were called to Perimeter Mall to investigate a report of loitering.

Reports said officers were called to the Perimeter Mall Urban Outfitters in reference to three males who were outside the store, “loitering on the sidewalk and engaging with other patrons.” When the males were located, police allegedly detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from them and initiated an investigation.

Police discovered one of the men had an active warrant in DeKalb County and placed him under arrest.

While detaining the man, police reported finding multiple empty zip lock bags with “advertisements for marijuana” and one oxycodone pill. Officers chose to charge the man with possession of a Schedule II substance, loitering and prowling and possession of drug-related objects.

The man was transported to the DeKalb County Jail, and another individual was given a criminal trespass warning from the mall.

Restaurant customer issued trespass warning

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police were called to the Red Pepper restaurant Feb. 10 to investigate reports that a customer was refusing to pay for food he had ordered.

Police reports said the man entered the restaurant at about 4 p.m., ordered $80 worth of food and after eating, went to the restaurant’s bathroom and refused to come out and pay.

After police identified the suspect as a 36-year-old Watkinsville man, he allegedly said that he didn’t have any money to pay the tab. Police later released the man with a criminal trespass warning, but without charges or citations.

Landscaping company reports theft of tools

DUNWOODY, Ga. — Dunwoody police reports said landscaping tools worth more than $2,000 were recently stolen from a company working in a local neighborhood.

Police officers were called to an address on Woodsong Trail in Dunwoody at about 9 a.m. Feb. 16, after employees of the Elite Landscaping Service called 911 to report multiple backpack blowers, trimmers and other tools had been stolen from their truck while they worked in the neighborhood.

The report said Elite Landscaping employees were working at the address when an unidentified suspect stole multiple tools from the back of their open box truck.

Employees said the truck was parked on the street in front of the house the entire time they were there, and no one saw anything suspicious. The home’s Ring doorbell camera was not operational and didn’t capture any footage of the theft.

At the time of the report, no suspect had been identified.

The report said the man had allegedly been witnessed in the past attempting to enter other apartments without permission.

When questioned by police, the man allegedly admitted to the accusations and was taken into custody. He was transported to the DeKalb County Jail.

Video captures suspect stealing mailroom items

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Johns Creek Police arrived at the Arium Johns Creek apartment complex on Medlock Crossing Parkway Feb. 13 for a burglary report involving stolen mail.

The property manager received three emails Feb. 9 from a company the complex uses to access the mail/ package room attached to the leasing office. The email was about the theft of numerous packages.

The property manager showed police security videos from overnight inside the mailroom. According to the police report, there’s a yellow duffle bag full of mail next to the door at the start of the video, and a suspect is seen loading a red, plaid duffle bag with multiple packages off various shelves and walking out with both bags.

The suspect later returned with a blue duffel/roller bag, locked the deadbolt to the door and continued shampoo valued at $28 had been delivered manager reported boosting security for the