Albany Businesses Battle Property Crimes: Urging Action to Combat Rising Trend

In 2024, Albany has already seen a significant increase in property crimes affecting local businesses. The Albany Police Department (APD) is urging business owners to come together and take action to combat this concerning trend. There have been 21 reported burglaries at various Albany businesses this year, with one recent incident involving a smash-and-grab at a Dollar General store on Radium Springs Road. Customers like Bertha Thomas expressed their disappointment over the incident, while business owners like Sudha Patel of Quick Buys Food Stores are facing the financial burden of repairs.

In 2023, Albany saw 102 burglaries and 30 robberies, indicating that this year’s crime wave is not slowing down. Lt. Jon Segroves, who supervises the APD’s property crime unit, emphasized the importance of using resources like the FUSUS system to combat this year’s crime wave. He advised business owners to take preventative measures to protect their establishments. Segroves emphasized the importance of making the remaining items in the store less desirable to potential burglars in order to deter further criminal activity.

As the community works together to address these challenges, Albany residents are encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement. By staying vigilant and taking proactive steps, businesses can better protect themselves from property crimes. Follow WALB on social media for the latest updates on this developing situation and other news in South Georgia.