2/26/2008

Marietta Police Department warns residents of theft suspects posing as employees of the Marietta Housing Authority and Marietta Power and Water. The two males recently approached residents and identified themselves as city workers to gain entry into homes. While one of the suspects distracts the resident, the other steals items from the home.
Suspects

Two white males, 5′09″-6′00″ tall, thin builds, last seen wearing tan baseball hats, white t-shirts, blue jeans. Driving a white newer model pickup truck, tag unknown.
If you are approached

Marietta Power and Water employees will not enter a home unless they have an appointment with the resident first. If you are approached by person(s) identifying themselves as city workers, especially if you did not place a request for work, ask for identification. If you feel uneasy about them, do not open your door or permit entry into your residence. Call for police assistance. Police officers will be able to verify their identities. There has been no report of the suspects being armed with weapons or violent; however, do not make assumptions about their intent.

If you have any questions about work orders or city of Marietta policies for worker identification, call 770-794-5100 and ask for the department in question.

The Atlanta Regional Commission recently released the latest population figures and growth rates for the metro area. Unincorporated Cobb County’s population has grown at a rate of 1.1 percent since 2000, which is the slowest growth rate in the last 30 years, according to the ARC. The county’s population surged forward in the 1970’s with an annual population increases of 4.2 percent. During the 1980’s and 1990’s, the county’s population continued to expand by adding an estimated 15,000 new residents per year.

The latest figures from the ARC take into account the population growth in each of the county’s six cities and unincorporated Cobb County. The unincorporated areas of the county added just under 5,200 residents per year since 2000.

“We are not surprised by the 1.1 percent slow growth rate in the county,” said Commission Chairman Sam Olens. “Good land planning and smart development are key to keeping the population closely matched with our ability to provide effective services.”

The ARC population figures account for births, deaths and residents moving into or out of the county. For more information, go to www.atlantaregional.com/populationdata.