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Haralson County Sheriff Eddie Mixon has announced details of the arrest of a Bremen man in connection with two burglaries including one at Salem Baptist Church in Tallapoosa. Mixon says 32 year old Shannon Martin Smith of 417 Nix Road, Buchanan faces two counts of burglary after he was arrested following a traffic stop of his vehicle. According to reports Smith was picked up in connection with a burglary that occurred at a private automotive shop located at 8118 Hwy. 78 Bremen on December 12th. Investigators say, that Smith confessed not only to the burglary at the automotive shop but also confessed to the December 16th, break in at Salem Baptist Church on Salem Church Road in Tallapoosa. Shannon Martin Smith was booked into the Haralson County Jail on Monday, December 19th and was released on a $10,500 bond according to Sheriff’s Office reports.
In both burglaries Smith allegedly took metal that could be sold for scrap was the goal. Sheriff Eddie Mixon says the recent rise in the cash value of scrap metals in particular copper has resulted in thieves destroying heating and air systems especially those at church facilities. According to Mixon, in thefts like the one at Salem Baptist thousands of dollars in damage is done. Investigators believe the Salem Baptist theft resulted in over $10,000 in damage. "Churches," Mixon said, “provide thieves a tempting target because a church facility is often unoccupied for long periods of time and the times that the church is in use is typically very predictable." Mixon has instituted regular church safety patrol checks because he considers crimes against churches particularly troubling. “Our churches should are a place of refuge from the sinful world we that we live in and a thief that targets the sanctity of a church is despicable," he said.
The Sheriff’s Office offers the following suggestions for congregations seeking to guard against thefts:
-- Illuminate the exterior and all entrances. Consider the installation of motion activating lightning near doors and windows. Church grounds and walking areas should also be provided with adequate security lighting.
-- Promote church watches in the neighborhood.
-- Educate neighbors about recognizing any unusual activities, and encourage them to make note of strangers spending time in the area, both on foot and in vehicles. Write down license plates numbers of suspicious vehicles, and inform the proper authorities.
-- Be aware that individuals may pose as service technicians to get into a church.
-- Do not disclose on signs or bulletins when church facilities will not be in use.
-- Keep church leaders informed of problems. Be aware of individuals who may be disgruntled or likely to cause damage to church property through arson or vandalism.
--Keep shrubbery and trees trimmed so buildings can be observed by passing patrols.
-- Consider fencing areas that are not readily visible to patrols or neighbors.
-- Ladders and other devices allowing access to roof areas should be secured.
-- Some churches may have basement entries that are hidden from view. These should be secured by locking ground-level doors that are operable from within the building when facilities are closed.
-- Installation of a combination of burglary and fire alarm should be considered.
-- Keep a current list of all individuals who have access to church keys and change the locks periodically.
Sheriff Eddie Mixon invites churches wishing to schedule a speaker from the Sheriff’s Office to disuses security with the congregation to contact his office at 770-646-2011.