FOREST PARK, Ga. — 11Alive is getting vendors of the Atlanta State Farmers Market answers after they say crime there is on the rise. Surveillance video provided by several of them showed multiple instances of merchandise and vehicle thefts.
After seeing our story, Forest Park Police responded, and went out to the farmers market for our interview.
While there, Forest Park Police Captain Dale Davis was able to speak face-to-face with several of the vendors who expressed their concerns.
"You must understand our frustration," said one of the vendors who did not want to share her name out of safety concerns. "It hasn't been once, it hasn't been twice."
In surveillance shared by vendors, you could see multiple car break-ins, merchandise theft, and even an instance where a man was dragged down an alleyway after someone stole his wallet.
(Story continues below videos)
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"We have seen some car break-ins, entering autos in the area," said Captain Davis.
Vendors say the problem go beyond car break-ins, claiming sometimes when they report crimes, they do not hear back.
Captain Davis said that would change.
"We have to take ownership of that," he said. "We don’t like someone to be victimized and we never make contact. That’s something we communicate all the time and that will continue to be stressed to follow up and let them know what’s going on.”
Davis says there are currently several active investigations relating to crimes at the State Farmers Market that his officers are investigating.
"There are several investigations that are active at this time and a lot of times we know who we’re looking for and when they know that, they don’t show back up," Captain Davis explained. "There are warrants that are taken and it’s just a matter of locating them."
He adds that vendors can now expect to see more officers patrolling the market area.
"That’s what we’re committing to," Davis said. "This is why we do what it is that we do. We’re here to protect and to serve. So you will see an increase. We talked about a little earlier – the numbers per se. A lot of that depends on our resources. But this is an area we focus on. Throughout the day you will see officers riding through."
After months of calling 911, vendors say they finally feel some sense of hope.
"I feel like we have been heard and now we’ll just wait for results," the anonymous vendor said. "Hopefully their presence here will deter criminals and likewise us as patrons, vendors, and customers we all have to be aware of our surroundings it’s just the new day we live in."
Captain Davis agrees: being aware of your surroundings and making sure you do not leave valuables in the car will also help deter crime in the area.
"This is a very fluid area," he said. "A lot of people are moving back and forth so there’s a lot going on throughout the day. So we ask the vendors, patrons to work with us."