02/05/2026
Dear Neighbors,
The MLPA has hit a ceiling when it comes to funding neighborhood security. We have very little flexibility to add patrols during heavy vacation weeks and crime spikes, such as the burglaries in 2024 and the car break-ins in 2025.
MLPA contracts with off-duty Atlanta Police Department officers to patrol Morningside at strategic times throughout the week. These are sworn officers, in uniform, driving marked vehicles, who have arresting authority and serve as a visible deterrent. They patrol all quadrants of the neighborhood using documented checkpoints to verify coverage, conduct vacation home checks for participating members (a service that members consistently tell us they value), and, by working closely with the APD during the recent burglaries and car break-ins, they were instrumental in the arrests of the suspects.
The Reality
At current membership levels, we fund patrol coverage for about 50% of the available hours in a typical week (the goal has never been 24/7 patrols). Hourly rates for off-duty officers are rising in the current market, and this is beginning to put pressure on our ability to maintain coverage. Without broader participation, we may be forced to reduce patrol hours to offset these higher costs. This level of coverage provides a baseline of patrol presence, focused on higher-risk times and daytime coverage for vacation home checks.
The Core Issue
Only 30% of households are MLPA members. This means that 30% of the neighborhood is subsidizing security for the other 70%. About 90% of the dues fund patrols. At $300/year, the Security Plus membership is lower than Ansley Park ($375), Virginia-Highland ($360), and Druid Hills ($495).
We often hear, “I have a security system, cameras, or a dog.” Many of the homes burglarized in 2024 had those as well, and it did not prevent the crimes.
The Ask
If we want better coverage and flexibility during spikes, participation must increase. For most of us, our home is one of our largest investments, and a Security Plus membership is a modest way to help protect it. Without broader participation, the Board will increasingly face difficult tradeoffs, including reducing patrol coverage over time to preserve the vacation home check program and raising dues among members already funding the program.
If you are not already a Security Plus member, we urge you to sign up now. If you are already a member, thank you; your support makes this program possible.
With Gratitude,
The MLPA Board
Questions or concerns about this letter can be directed to Fred Ehlers (Public Safety Co-Chair) or Russell Gottschalk (Membership Chair).
