accessAtlanta

City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
City & State or ZIP
City & State or ZIP Tonight, this weekend, May 5th...
City & State or ZIP
Chatter

Is Atlanta doing enough to combat crime?

11:05 am July 30, 2009, by AJC

In the wake of high-profile crimes including the carjacking of a city councilman and the fatal shooting of a former boxing champ, Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and police chief Richard Pennington announced Thursday they will add 139 more officers on the street to combat what has been seen as a surge in crime.

“Many people want to argue about crime,” Franklin said. “Is it up? Is it down? Is it happening in one area than in another?” She lists fighting crime among her accomplishments, including reducing violent crimes during her eight-year administration. The Police Department has redesigned beats for the first time in 30 years, including adding walking beats.

“One victim is one victim too many,” said Franklin. “Our strategy is straightforward. We will put more officers on the streets.”

While the high-profile cases have startled many Atlantans, police statistics show violent crime in the city has declined about 10 percent the first six months in 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Meanwhile, Pennington said he would leave the job at the end of the year, coinciding with the end of Franklin’s second and final term as mayor.

Do you think the mayor’s and police chief’s response to crime in Atlanta is adequate? Will the new measures help?

(Note: Commenting is currently closed on this entry.)

  • Print

43 comments Add your comment

David

July 30th, 2009
11:15 am

ha! What a joke! I unfortunately have the burden of living in Dekalb, where I believe the lack of response is worse. I have called at least 50 times to report crime in my 1.5 years living there. I have been placed on hold for over 7 minutes by 911, and usually have to wait for a minute or so when I call. Thank god that I have had only one serious situation, but it still took them 15 minutes to respond. This is unacceptable as we are paying very high amounts of taxes to live in the city. What are we getting? A hell of a lot of nothing. I do not blame the police, as they are short handed. This falls on the CEO and Mayor for ignoring our cries for help! It takes a bartender being shot at the Standard for someone to wake up and start realizing this crap is serious. No one should have to live like this.

Bob

July 30th, 2009
11:23 am

How do they rationalize having 3 cops sitting at a stop sign targeting driver’s not wearing seat belts in my neighborhood when every day you read about murders, car jackings, robberies, etc….. Does it really take 3 cops to pull over Mrs. Soccor Mom in her minivan for not coming to a complete stop when you have Thugs in the streets jacking people at no cost?

Luke

July 30th, 2009
11:28 am

You have got to be kidding me! Franklin minimalizes the crime rate as if it just something you just have to deal with. Well, that may be true, but the point is that the crime has been increasing and despite that, she regulates the issue as something that isn’t that true. Yes, she adding 139 more police, but she fails to see what in the hell is going on everyday.

John Stevens

July 30th, 2009
11:29 am

The city needs more money to deal with crime and add officers. Residents are already taxed to death and can’t afford more. The state should help. Other states help their cities and GA shouldn’t be any different.

Angus

July 30th, 2009
11:31 am

Don’t believe for a second that we’ll have 139 more cops by year end. Counting on new, bold policies from lame ducks? Good luck with that.

If Pennington has already decided he’s not dedicated to the city of Atlanta, why not just resign now? His pay alone would add two more cops.

Kent

July 30th, 2009
11:35 am

When we complained that folks were breaking into our cars, we were being a nuisance. When we complained they were breaking into our homes, we were told that was part of living in a city. When we protested in the streets that a friend of ours was shot by teenage thugs we were told that we ‘it was just our perception’. When the thugs turned on Georgia State and Georgia Tech students, well that’s not the city’s problem right. Now there is a whole generation of sociopath young men running wild. it’s too late to turn back the clock, we can only brace ourselves for a long fight against crime. If the Mayor and her boy would have not been so unwilling to recognize reality this could have been prevented.
I wonder what she would say to the families of the two college park women who were shot without reason execution style. Was it just their perception.

Mark

July 30th, 2009
11:39 am

Maybe if they had not wasted so much money on Brand Atlanta and the Beltline they could have been policing more all along. What ever happened to a rainy day fund to operate the city when conditions were bad? Shirley probably had grand plans on what she would do after the Mayorship. Those are gone now and she seems bitter. Pennington has already checked out, no matter what he says.

I’m glad I moved out of the city several years back.

PappyHappy

July 30th, 2009
11:41 am

It is past time for new leadership in Atlanta! Honestly think that it is simply beyond Franklin’s and Penninton’s capability to clean up the city. Not sure that any of the present contenders have the skills and abilities to do much better. (Judge Arrington and Clark Howard, are you reading this??)

Sad that we allow inept politicians to run a city like Atlanta into the ground.

(OH– what kind of waivers does the ‘Chief’ envision providing these new policemen? Going to let them slide with a couple of ‘little’ felonies? How long is the hiring and police academy process? Going to have them on the street by year’s end — 153 DAYS?) Shirley Franklin blew it when she had her ‘hissy fits’ and reduced the number of the streets. This one is SHIRLEY’S FAULT!!)

fed up apd officer

July 30th, 2009
11:47 am

I really feel for the people who live in the City of Atlanta, because your paying more taxes for less services. This administration SUCKS!!! Shirley and King Richard is just counting the days until they are done. Its a shame that it took something to happen to someone of some importance, before someone took notice. Took notice of horrible condition in the city, and this Department. What happen to Vernon Forest has been happening throughout the city for the longest. We’re off of the furlough, but our insurance went up. So did we really get our money back. I use to pay $175 every two week for insurance, it just went up to $200. So that’s $400 a month. Ive talked to friends at other departments, and dont pay nowhere what we pay. I love working for the Atlanta Police Dept., but the first chance i get, I’m gone. Instead of bring in more officer, how about you take car of the ones that you have first. Every day we’re losing great officer to these surrounding department.

ugaaccountant

July 30th, 2009
11:48 am

Franklin has been the worst mayor we’ve ever had, which is saying alot given her competition. How could she have let the most basic of services deteriorate? Water, fire protection, and police protection are the three core services a city should provide and she’s screwed up all three with her negligent stewardship.

unbelievable!

July 30th, 2009
11:51 am

I live in Atlantic Station and since it’s private property the police are NEVER there. I’ve been told by an officer of APD that they will only come if called. So Cars drive 60 in a 30 on 17th with no tickets. THATS WHY THERE IS CRIME THE THIEVES DON”T FEAR THE POLICE!! I don’t see why we even pay taxes. My building the Element has had 3 cars a scooter stolen in the last two weeks. It’s seriously the wild west, one resident put a 55k dollar bounty for information (including children’s names) of the person responsible for stealing his rims. Where are the police? Where is the pride? Atlanta is a joke! Shirley is a joke!

Atl

July 30th, 2009
11:52 am

We could probably add one officer for the costs of the flowers the Mayor wears daily.

wae

July 30th, 2009
12:00 pm

Start at the root of the problem. Having kids that you are not financially and mentally able to handle. Why not offer welfare mothers an incentive when they limit their family size, instead of offering a larger house whenever they have additional kids. Atlanta would save tremendously, and there would be less crime. Also why not reopen the parks and recreation centers, get volunteers to mentor these kids.

Frustrated Citizen

July 30th, 2009
12:00 pm

If the city is so safe, then why does Shirley need 24/7 security protection at her house?

Where I live, I don’t even want to answer a knock at the door because who knows what will happen when I do. Just look at the incident that will happened in Edgewood recently. A man was told to give his car over to 3 teenagers with a weapon. He gave them the keys, then they shot him. Teens are still at large.

It is more than a lack of police problem, but also our judges are not putting away these criminals. Proabtion is the punishment and they are back out on the streets. This is why they don’t fear the police.

Chief23

July 30th, 2009
12:00 pm

Send us Sgt. Crowley!

Good riddance to Franklin and Pennigton.

Adub

July 30th, 2009
12:04 pm

I follow Atlanta’s news daily, and the biggest joke is how taxpayers failed to remove the mayor from office by now. I agree 100% with the taxpayers, however, it is time for taxpayers to show up and to show out (figure of speech). If you need change, attend the meetings. If you are willing to make a difference for the better, stand as a group to remove officials accordingly. I know Mayor Franklin is the most hated official, however, she does not act alone (hint). I just hate hearing how the taxpayers are suffering in Atlanta because they deserve better.

Franklin is a CROOK!!!!!

July 30th, 2009
12:14 pm

Frankenstein, I mean Franklin is the ring leader in this whole crime wave…ok, not true but thats how I feel. Franklin has litter ruined this city. Her leadership/promises is just a lot of hot air.

Frankenstein (Franklin)…I AM HAPPY TO SEE YOU LEAVE…NOW LEAVE THIS CITY AS WELL.

Disgusted

July 30th, 2009
12:14 pm

I live ITP but it’s looking more and more like Atlanta is the “new” Detroit…complete lack of leadership…what has happened to our city over the past 10 years?

OZZFEST

July 30th, 2009
12:15 pm

Dumb citizens elect dumb leaders and get dumb results. Atlanta is history, it is time to move on, elsewhere…where the population has a higher level of education. (I am a native.) Later, y’all!

Disgusted

July 30th, 2009
12:22 pm

@OZZFEST — I’m another native and completely agree…Atlanta is history..and Georgia is heading the same way. We can’t sustain population growth with our horrible education system, lack of transportation or even any plans for transportation. We have no big thinkers in leadership roles any longer and a Governor who hangs his hat on the “Go Fish” initiative…..I’ve always loved our great state and could name 1000 positive aspects of living here….not sure I can do that any more..

simple

July 30th, 2009
12:30 pm

I live in Midtown… which has always been a tad sketchy, but sketchy has turned into dangerous over the last couple of years and neither Ms. Franklin now Chief Pennington has ever bothered to address it publicly. They are both worthless and need to leave office sooner than later.

Way too little way too late. Take a hike Shirl..

Jay

July 30th, 2009
12:37 pm

Chris, first off, way to throw race in. I am white, but not a bigot like you.

Second, and I say this to all my OTP friends that bitch about the city. Stay out. Don’t work down here. Don’t use our highways and roads. Don’t come in and eat at our non-chain restaurants. Don’t go to our ballparks and arena. Don’t come to our music venues. Don’t come to events and trade shows. Don’t come to our great intown festivals. Don’t attend the many well accredited universities inside the Perimeter. Don’t use our airport. Don’t use our mass transit. Don’t use our museums, aquarium, zoo or art galleries. Don’t stay in our nice hotels.

I grew up in the suburbs and work in the suburbs, but live downtown by choice, and I am SO tired of getting beaten down by OTP friends, family members and coworkers about the city. I don’t complain about the suburbs, its just not for me. Now yes, there are those that complain about the suburbs and are ITP snobs, but they are just as ignorant as you. Just without the racism.

Whenever family members of mine throw out racist comments like yours, I generally respond with “well, what color are the folks who ran Enron, the failing banks and mortgage companies, the Federal Govt until recently, Bernie Madoff, etc. Oh yes, they are all white.” Corruption and inept politicians are not racially bound. Jackhole.

Ed

July 30th, 2009
12:40 pm

I am glad i dont live in the city of Atlanta. The crime situation is out of control. I have a friend of mine who is an officer with APD, he stated Chief Pennington has not been to any of the zone precinct all year and Atlanta as six zones. Shirley Franklin needs to resign, she brough Pennington from New Orleans. What was she thinking,bringing a police chief from New Orleans of all places. It is like bring Ray Nagin here to replace Shirley.

Tonto

July 30th, 2009
12:49 pm

Jay–what do you think about the Mayor and Chief’s response today?

Captain

July 30th, 2009
12:54 pm

Where are the City’s self proclaimed righteous and pious leaders such as Rev Joseph Lowery, Rev Markel Hutchins, Tyrone Brooks and others? The same leaders who were so quick to go after Police Officers who shot a car thief some 3 yrs ago are silent during this crime wave. Where are they? These are Atlanta’s self appointed leaders who called for “Community Review Boards” to monitor APD, who routinely protested action by APD, never failing to find fault with virtually every aspect of APD operations. Much of this current crime wave is as a direct result of their anti-Police actions and activities of the past several years. These same leaders can’t wait to villify police officers, call for investigations, call white officers ‘racist’, accuse the Police of being ‘out of control’ when the Police do their job. Amazingly, when an athlete is gunned down by those trying to steal his vehicle, when a City council members vehicle is stolen we have a crime wave and they demand action from that same Police force they’ve hammered with relentless accusation after accusation the last four years. The message from Atlanta’s high and might self appointed leaders has been crystal clear to the outlaws during the past few years, the Police are not to be respected, nor are the laws.

The ‘thugs’ are running the streets doing as they please. For months it was the ongoing ’smash and grab’ across the city, store after store, time after time. Then it was home breakins, apartment breakins, Atlantic Station breakins, then they moved to shooting restaurant employees, store clerks, followed up by assaulting and robbing college students, now the crowd has moved to car jackings. What a surprise!!! Who could have seen that coming?

Where are Rev Lowery, REv Hutchins, Tyrone Brooks and others today? Their war against the Police Dept has resulted in today’s crime wave. When police officers are treated as these self proclaimed leaders have treated them, is it any surprise the ‘thugs’ feel they have no constraints? I have to wonder, if an APD officer shot and killed one of these outlaws during an attempted car jacking tonight, would one of Atlanta’s ‘leaders’ applaud the Police or call for an investigation, a community review board, prosecution of the officer, and if he were white, allegations of racism and calls for a FBI probe?

Why can’t these same pompous and self proclaimed leaders who have,by their actions, contributed to this current crime wave take to the podium, in front of those TV cameras they so adore, and publically call for Atlanta’s citizens to rise up, stop the crime, and encourage the APD to do all within it’s power to make the City safe? Why won’t they publically SUPPORT APD rather than again ‘blaming”? Why are they so quick to speak out and blame, yet so silent when times call for real and honest leadership? Atlantans are reaping what has been sown, it’s a shame, a real shame.

KG

July 30th, 2009
12:59 pm

Yay! Thats what we need, 139 more tax paid employees that WONT do there job! 139 more cops writing bs tickets turning revenue doesn’t stop crime! Give this system of ignorent officials a handful of more years and this Atlanta will be a big Memphis! Both places were beautiful with all of the ability to become utopian societies but were brought to its knees by ignorance, greed and pathetic government..

PappyHappy

July 30th, 2009
1:05 pm

A tepid response at best!! Firmly convinced that Shirley Franklin has place a large chip on her shoulder, which appears to be getting larger and larger. She failed to mind her store years ago, and the budget ran wild. Remember when the CFO went ‘bye-bye’?

Remember well her press conference when she was closing down a firehouse in West End, and she reminded all that she was from Philadelphia — WOW. That sure did not infuse confidence. Really think that she got her feelings hurt for not being selected for the Sec of HUD position.

For whatever reason, she seems to blame the citizens for her political demise. The sooner she is out of office, the sooner this city will start improving.

Would be interesting for the AJC to check and see where Chief Pennington was receiving ‘TRAINING’ during his absence — number of days; subject matter taught; location; and ….COST TO THE TAXPAYERS!!

Chuck

July 30th, 2009
1:07 pm

Personally, I will never get past Shirley Franklin saying that she would search everywhere to bring us the most qualified police chief in America, and settled on the chief from… NEW ORLEANS? Crime-ridden, drug-addled, corrupt NEW ORLEANS? You’ve got to be kidding me! And I’m sure his race had nothing to do with the selection either. Pathetic.

lighteredknot

July 30th, 2009
1:08 pm

Atlanta needs all the money Campbell and his crooks stole. It would place a lot of policemen on the streets.

Jay

July 30th, 2009
1:09 pm

Tonto – I think its too little to late by two lame ducks. I don’t know enough about the 4 running for Mayor to know who I support yet.

I moved back to Atlanta from San Diego about 6 years ago. At the time, Shirley was rated one of the top 5 Mayors in the country, and Dick Murphy in San Diego was one of the 3 worst (incredibly corrupt and inept). It is sad how far she has fallen.

I have been broken into twice in the past year and a half, my best friend was jumped in EAV about 3-4 years ago (similar trunk incident to the two attorneys 2 years later – but my buddy ran), and I have had several friends have their cars or homes broken into.

Yes, it is a serious problem. I don’t believe the stats, I think it has gotten worse. But like too many community organization members, we like to bitch about it rather than do something. Get organized. Get involved. In my hood many folks have started reaching out to the kids to catch them before they get to the robbing age (which seems to be getting younger and younger). A lot of parents obviously aren’t doing their job. It pains me to hear, like in the case of the 17 year old arrested in John Henderson’s case, his family coming out saying my boy couldn’t or wouldn’t do that. Oh really? Where was your weetle babee that night? Out with his gang friends? Fantastic. Lock his ass up and throw away the key. Of course, for some, prison is like a family or class reunion. But our correctional system another topic for another day. :-)

Have any of you seen the TV show the Wire? I wonder if APD cooks the books like they did on that show. Basically downgrading how they reported crimes to make the stats look good due to political pressure. Just curious.

Gael

July 30th, 2009
1:09 pm

NO WAY!!! Why is it just now that both of them are responding and in my mind, half-heartily enthused? A little too late for both of these so-called ‘leaders’. BTW, 139 new officers? What’s the percentage of these officers defrauding the system like we are continually hearing about? To Serve and Protect…what a laugh!

Drew

July 30th, 2009
1:17 pm

Did everyone miss that story the other day where Atlanta was hurrying to find ways spend $30 million in government funds… AFTER they’d cut services and raised property taxes? What the h*ll is going on here?

It’s time to move, folks.

Jay

July 30th, 2009
1:19 pm

I think everyone needs to get off the Police officers on this one.

Yeah, the West End incident with our illustrious Mayor was wild. I had a neighbor at that and he said he couldn’t believe it. He (is black btw, so this isn’t a racist comment) said she showed how “hood” she was. I remember a bodyguard for one of her daughters getting beaten into a coma and her ex-son in law going to prison for life? Also that same daughter pleading guilty to helping her husband launder money. Yeah, fine upstanding Mayor we have. And people thought the Bush twins were a handful!

Jay

July 30th, 2009
1:22 pm

And as far as moving Drew, don’t say to California. They have a slight budget issue themselves.

ClemsonDude

July 30th, 2009
1:37 pm

This city needs a mayor like Clark Howard to get this city back on it’s feet. These thuds are not afraid of the crappy Atlanta police force. We need you Clark Howard!!!

HeyJude

July 30th, 2009
1:57 pm

I live in the city and what is happening is shocking for many reasons. Let’s just look at the economics of what Franklin has done, she has increased taxes in a major recession under the guise of public safety for more police and fire people. She said this morning that 66 layoff of police occurred but not real people, unfilled positions. The city received stimulus funding for 50 police officers for three years…………………………the fire department is another story and I realize that but we are being taken for major boobs of note. The Mayor held the city hostage over public safety.

I was at City Hall last week for Water Management. The entire fourth floor of Water management could be fired and no one would notice. I would like to add that Water Management is also on the fifth floor as well. I was obtaining a second water meter so due to the efficiencies of our government had to go between the 4th and 5th floors of City Hall. It was a real treat! Besides paying $1800 for the 2d water meter, I had to pay $85 for a work permit and the kicker was two different cashiers on the first floor of City Hall. The inefficiences are incredible down there.

We the citizens of Atlanta need to take back our city, vote all the tax increase people out.

If I could sell my house, I would leave the City.

Kay

July 30th, 2009
2:05 pm

I’m a native, too, and my son was born here as well. We moved to the exurbs last year and now even he, at 7, sees the glring differences and doesn’t want to come back. I still work here and my family still live here, but life is so much better out there, WAY OTP. Whenever we come to town, he knows he has to hide all his things in the car or take them in with him whereever we go so people won’t break in and steal them. When we lived here, they broke in our house three times in three months, and I would lie to him to cover it up so he wouldn’t be scared(I’m sorry, honey, I broke your bedroom window by accident; I knocked over your DVD player and clock and broke them–I’ll buy you new ones; etc.) I’ve repaired so many car windows I should have Safelite on speed dial. Enough.

Jay, you’re right about some things, but wrong about others. If everyone stopped patronizing all the things in the city you mentioned, there would be no city. “If you don’t like it, stay out” is a stupid, childish response to legitimate concerns. Of the four million people in “Metro Atlanta,” fewer than one million of those live within the actual city limits. Without this aggregate, there would not be enough money to support all these arts, businesses, etc. The CEOs and other executives who run the businesses that create jobs for the area and can afford to live in the beautiful parts of the actual city draw their employees from this large pool. Without it, they would move! Atlanta cannot exist without all the people OTP, just as there is no community OTP without Atlanta. Suburbanites are as entitled to complain and demand answers and solutions as any ITP dweller.

MJ

July 30th, 2009
2:31 pm

So, so sad to hear all this about a city with so much promise! I moved my family here thinking it would be a step up from Chicago, but the crooks are the same, just with a southern accent! Get out so we can get this great city back!! I don’t want to move to another state but life is too short and too hard to be trapped and scared to enjoy the fruits of your labor! My friends in Florida want to come to Atl so bad. Think it’s the place to be…the place to grow…the place to get your own home, your own business and of course unlimited supply of boys & girls…… but this is not sounding like the Atl I told them about. I may have to tell them to stay where they are!!!! So, So SAD!! WAKE UP ATLANTA, DON’T GO BACKWARDS!! WE’VE COME TOO FAR!!!!!!

WarEagle

July 30th, 2009
2:42 pm

I have lived in the Atlanta area for 45 years and once owned a business inside the City but after trying to deal with the joint City/Counry Tax Department, I sold the business and vowed I would never have a business in the City or in Fulton County again. I moved to Cherokee County and it was the best move I ever made. I feel sorry for those people or business’s that are trapped in the City. I always recommend to outsiders who are moving to this area to stay out of the City or Fulton County.

MJ

July 30th, 2009
2:45 pm

WarEagle…. what’s your take on the Alpharetta area?? Is it a good place to start??

Rob

July 30th, 2009
2:48 pm

What a joke!
I have a friend who just had his car broken into in Atlanta. He was asked to bring his car in to the station. Then we he gets there they take a picture, fill out a report and send him on his way.

OK genius at the Atlanta police why not send a patrol car over to the victim. Why not look around? Why not take fingerprints?

Barney Fife would do a better job.

Don't make me get Philly here!

July 30th, 2009
2:54 pm

Jay, I remember her getting all “HOOD” like. Like she could vent out that way but the people in the meeting couldnt..Righteous crook that she is. If her husband, daughter and son-in-law’s history tells you anything…the apple sure as HELL didn’t fall far from the tree.

Shirley and the Chief of disappearance needs to be investigated…Crooked all around.

How Not to Change @ Crime Victims Media Report

November 25th, 2009
10:30 am

[...] Seriously, though, it’s worth reading: [...]