ATLANTA — A recent surge in violent crime in Atlanta has prompted questions from residents about how the city is handling the crime wave. On Monday, Atlanta’s mayor unveiled her “One Atlanta: One APD” action plan to address the city’s crime problem.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms released the One Atlanta: One APD Immediate Action Plan to address violent crime in the city. The Plan is the first part of a broader effort focused on bolstering support for the Atlanta Police Department and reforming policing in the city.
“The spike in violent crime in Atlanta and across the country must be addressed by both immediate and long-term actions,” Bottoms said.
As laid out by Bottoms during recent press briefings, the City has developed a series of actions to address violent crime. The immediate actions to be implemented are:
- Expand enforcement of nuisance properties
- Focus additional resources and increase targeted enforcement on gangs and gun violence
- Expand the Operation Shield camera network
- Support neighborhood safety planning
- Continue to focus on disrupting street racing and auto crimes
- Explore a new Public Safety Training Academy
- Improve police department recruiting and retention.
The full One Atlanta: One APD Immediate Action Plan can be viewed here.
Legislation has been introduced and administrative orders issued to advance the following public safety actions:
- An Administrative Order directing an Advisory Council to explore recommendations for a new Public Safety Training facility and an overview of next steps for implementation
- An Administrative Order, related to police department recruiting and retention, directing an Advisory Council to provide recommendations by March 31
- Legislation to conduct the personnel actions necessary to move forward with the pay and classification changes recommended to improve recruiting and retention for 911 Call Center staff.
Additional One Atlanta: One APD plans and actions will be released in the coming weeks and months, including potential actions related to addressing the fundamental causes of violence through violence interruption programs and gun violence legislation.
