Residents of the Chastain Park neighborhood in Buckhead are calling security meetings this month after a string of crime hit the community in July.

The weekend of the Fourth of July, jewelry was stolen from a home that was broken into on Carlton Drive. A little more than a week later, another home was burglarized on Putnam Circle, where a laptop was stolen while the resident was home. On July 19, a third home was broken into on Laurel Forest Circle. This time, the homeowner entered while the perpetrator was still in the home.

Amongst the home burglaries, the neighbors also heard complaints of smash-and-grab car break-ins near The Galloway School.

“We’re encouraging everyone to be vigilant,” said Todd Davis, vice president of security for Chastain Park Civic Association.

The association sent out mass e-mails to neighbors throughout the month, encouraging them to report suspicious activity.

The neighborhood, like many others in Buckhead, has a private security patrol, which the neighbors pay for out of their $95 monthly association dues.

“We’re trying to increase association membership because the more people who contribute money, the more hours we can have the patrol out,” said Davis. “The patrol is out several times a week. They mix it up so there’s no routine or pattern.”

Just two weeks ago, a resident reported a suspicious person roaming the area to Sgt. Barry Miller, the neighborhood’s security patrol leader. The suspect was taken into custody and Miller said there is a high probability he is responsible for the home bur-glaries.

“The suspect had an outstanding warrant for burglary in DeKalb County and he had a backpack on him with jewelry and a laptop in it,” said Miller. “The woman who called to report him spotted him just two blocks from where another burglary had just occurred.”

But despite catching the possible perpetrator, the neighborhood is not relaxing just yet.

“Everyone needs to continue to keep an eye out to ensure that we protect our neighbors,” said Davis.

The Atlanta Police Department responded to the neighborhood’s concerns by increasing presence in the area, setting up road blocks and using mounted patrols and undercover officers, according to the association’s e-mails.

“Sgt. Miller and all of the neighbors have been very responsive so far,” said Davis.

Miller said the majority of crime Chastain Park usually gets is car break-ins.

“[Thieves] target people who jog around the park because they know that they leave their purses and wallets in the car,” said Miller.