ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Atlanta police moved overtime personnel to Virginia Highland and the Ponce De Leon corridor, as well as to the Boulevard area after two overnight shootings.
Atlanta police report major crime is down in the city from this time last year. People in the neighborhoods where the crimes occurred feel the impact today and said something needs to change.
The murder of popular convenience store owner Mike Maloo stunned the Virginia Highland community. Maloo was shot and killed during an attempted robbery Thursday night. His ATL Food Store is on Barnett Street, right off Ponce.
"I'm flattened by this. This community loved this man," customer Mike Pamfilis said.
Overnight on nearby Boulevard, a man was shot in the leg during an attempted home invasion. The victim got a shot off and hit the suspect as well.
Members of the community said these shootings and other recent crime highlight the need for change.
"The police have really done, I think, all that they can do. I think now it's up to the citizens of the neighborhood to step up if they see something going," Robert Crawford said.
Sheila Nelson agrees, the police can't act alone.
"We need a stronger police presence, but I think more importantly, we as a community need to come together and look out for one another. Don't turn our heads when we see something suspicious," Nelson said.
Others who are also grieving over the loss of Maloo point fingers.
"I blame the police. I blame the police because they don't patrol the area," one woman said.
Police have stepped up patrols in Virginia Highland and Inman Park in recent months. Now they'll add overtime resources to patrol the Ponce corridor in the Highlands and along Boulevard. That's what some needed to hear after the latest shock to the neighborhood.
"Do more; more cars around here, whatever they have to do. This has got to hit home because people like this cannot, we can't lose people like this. He was a hero in this community," Pamfilis said.
The overtime officers will be on foot, on motorcycles and in patrol cars. The extra patrols will continue for the next two months.
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