Local

Atlanta rec center ramps up security after rash of car break-ins

ATLANTA — People who use the Adamsville Recreation Center in southwest Atlanta say car break-ins have been an issue in the facility's parking lot for months.

"We feel like we're victimized." said Terrie Ajile Axam. "What's happening is there are break-ins."

Axam said her car was broken into in early September while parked at the facility.

"There were mirrors and glass broken two weeks ago," Axam told Channel 2's Amy Napier Viteri. She said thieves stole a bag and her cellphone.

Atlanta police said there have been 10 incidents at the center since June, including six car break-ins and four cases of vandalism.

According to police reports, in one case someone smashed a car window and stole a cellphone, laptop, designer bag and sunglasses.

"In the past week and a half we had three break-ins back-to-back," Axam explained.

She's a dance instructor at the facility and has run her dance school Total Dance/Dancical Productions out of the recreation center since it opened in 2003. She said Adamsville used to have a security guard but hasn't for a while.

"How can you have a multimillion-dollar complex that lacks security for the people that are coming?" she asked.

Channel 2 Action News saw a security guard at the complex and asked the Department of Parks and Recreation about what security measures are in place. Commissioner George Dusenbury said in a statement, "In response to the recent spate of car break-ins and vandalism, the Department of Parks and Recreation added security officers weekdays from 5-9 p.m."

The statement went on to say there are a total of eight security cameras inside and outside the building as well as an alarm system and the department will continue to work with Atlanta police to maintain the safety of the Recreation Center's visitors and encourages patrons not to leave valuables in their cars.