Nearly 100 residents and officers of the Georgia Tech and Atlanta police departments participated in the Community Bike Night on Feb. 27 in Home Park.

The group covered about four miles, weaving in and out of the streets of the neighborhood located just north of the Georgia Tech campus.

“The turnout was great,” said GTPD Chief Robert Connolly. “We had a great time together. I think it was important for the residents of the community to see us riding along with their neighbors. It was a great event. We’ll definitely be doing this again soon.”

The ride consisted of about a dozen Atlanta Police Department (APD) officers and more than 30 GTPD officers, including the bike patrol in their reflective neon uniforms. Also present was APD’s mounted unit, which was a big hit with the children being picked up from the Landon Learning Center where the ride began.

This was the latest community event in Home Park since a series of armed robberies in and around the neighborhood earlier in February. APD and GTPD have been operating an enhanced joint patrol since Feb. 8, and it has now been nearly three weeks since any robberies have been reported in Home Park.

Connolly noted that enhanced lighting was recently added on some neighborhood streets. He hopes future rides can continue to bring awareness to areas that need safety enhancements and let GTPD, APD, and the neighborhood work together to address them.

Report any information regarding criminal incidents to the Georgia Tech Police Department (GTPD) by calling 404-894-2500 or by emailing crimetips@police.gatech.edu. In addition, you can help GTPD and the community fight crime. Don’t look the other way or ignore suspicious activity. If you see something that prompts concern, say something and notify GTPD immediately.

GTPD offers the following reminders:

• Walk in well-lit areas. To report inoperative exterior campus lighting, visit http://www.facilities.gatech.edu/om/requests/lighting.php.
• Walk with a friend or in a group.
• Be aware of your surroundings, even when you are walking in a group.
• Immediately report suspicious activity to the Georgia Tech Police by calling 404-894-2500. Program GTPD's number into your cell phone.
• For on-campus transportation from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., call the Stingerette at 404-385-RIDE.
• Safety escorts are available through the Georgia Tech Police Department by calling 404-894-2500 or 4-GTPD.
• Download the LiveSafe safety app for quick access to the Georgia Tech Police Department and other safety resources.