Is Atlanta safe?
High-profile crimes in Atlanta raise the question: Do you feel more or less safe here than elsewhere?
A report by the FBI concludes that cities were safer in 2008 but small towns weren’t. Nationwide, violent crime dropped 2.5 percent and property crime 1.6 percent, based on preliminary data. Murders fell by 4.3 percent in cities with more than 1 million people and by almost 8 percent in cities with populations of 500,000 to 1 million. Atlanta’s population in 2007 was estimated to be 519, 145.
Towns with fewer than 10,000 people saw increases. Murders were up 5.5 percent, rape 1.4 percent and robbery 3.9 percent.
Crime in the South declined by less than in most other regions of the country. Violent crimes were down 1.7 percent here and property crimes 0.1 percent. All other regions, except the Northeast, had bigger drops. In the Northeast, violent crimes dropped 1.4 percent and property crimes increased 1.6.
The recent spat of high-profile crimes, like those in the vicinity of Georgia Tech, raise the question: How safe is Atlanta? Much of the violent crime seems to fall between midnight and 4 a.m. when most of the city is sleeping.
A mayor’s race is upcoming. Crime is certain to be one of the issues. Does Atlanta need more cops? If so, would you as a resident or you as a visitor be willing to pay more in taxes to hire them?
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192 comments Add your comment
Churchill's MOM
June 2nd, 2009
6:52 am
Jim, the link from the home page is screwed up AGAIN……….
Lukas
June 2nd, 2009
7:27 am
With the recent murder in Piedmont Park and the nearby stabbing in midtown, I would say that traditionally safe neighborhoods in Atlanta are no longer safe.
Churchill's MOM
June 2nd, 2009
7:28 am
Jim our next President was in the news yesterday and you did not write about her. Do you want 4 more years
statement from Gov. Palin:
I feel sorrow for the Tiller family. I respect the sanctity of life and the tragedy that took place today in Kansas clearly violates respect for life. This murder also damages the positive message of life, for the unborn, and for those living. Ask yourself, ‘What will those who have not yet decided personally where they stand on this issue take away from today’s event in Kansas?’
Regardless of my strong objection to Dr. Tiller’s abortion practices, violence is never an answer in advancing the pro-life message.
*************Handel 2010*********Palin Mccain 2012*********************
Copyleft
June 2nd, 2009
8:02 am
Oh, if only more people were carrying guns! I know that more shootouts would make everyone feel safer downtown.
Aquagirl
June 2nd, 2009
8:12 am
It took a home invasion for Lisa Borders to see water, sanitation, and public safety as government fundamentals. That’s scarier than any crime statistics.
South Park school counselor
June 2nd, 2009
8:17 am
Crime is bad, mmmkay? You shouldn’t commit crimes. Because crimes are bad, mmmkay?
Peadawg
June 2nd, 2009
8:26 am
Simple answer: No!
That’s the reason I don’t even go to Braves or Falcons games. That’s the reason I went to UGA for a computer science degree instead of Ga Tech. Atlanta is one of the scariest, unsafe cities in the nation.
Road Scholar
June 2nd, 2009
8:28 am
Jim, It’s probably just as safe as the suburbs, with all the meth and pot labs, violence against children and spouses,child molestation etc.
JL
June 2nd, 2009
8:34 am
I agree with the others that say “no” (Atlanta is not safer).
I lock my doors and arm my alarm. I drive around scared (looking around for “questionable” people – who are everywhere).
Paranoia? Maybe. But as Pearl Jam’s band member, Georgia Tech students, and many many others have found, Atlanta is not safe. It is a tale of the “haves” and the “have-nots” – the latter of whom are angry and armed.
Paco
June 2nd, 2009
8:35 am
Atlanta is a dangerous town, bottom line. We live in Midtown and five houses on our street have be broken into in the past two years!! All the southside trash come into the city to cruise and cause problems. Atlantic Station is ghetto as can be too. This city is a mess.
Peter
June 2nd, 2009
8:41 am
America is a dangerous place to Live Jim………I have no clue why you even care………Go start a WAR someplace, and forget about this issue……….Then blame the lack of Cops, totally forgetting Violence starts from the Top……and people get Rich because of it.
Indie
June 2nd, 2009
8:49 am
Um…Ok so…looking to move to Atlanta…are there any parts that are safe? Someone help me…what areas are good and what areas are bad?
Truth2009
June 2nd, 2009
8:51 am
And to think…. some liberals are SO dumb theve brainwashed americas youth to believe whites are just as violent as minorities.
Copyleft
June 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
“So dumb that they’ve brainwashed America’s youth?” That doesn’t even make sense! You have to be SMART to conduct a successful brainwashing campmaign, “Truth.”
Truth2009
June 2nd, 2009
8:53 am
And by minorities, i dont mean asians or arabs.
Indie: move to the northside or the westside out past 6 flags. Look in Austell/ Douglasville area. The blacks havent totally taken over here like they have Decatur/Clayton counties.
Ga Values
June 2nd, 2009
8:55 am
There must not be a crime problem in Atlanta because the mayor hired a fool for chief and is always trying to run off police officers. My wife refuses to shop in Atlanta, last time she went to Lenox she said it was full of thugs just waiting for her to drop her guard. The Pink Pony is safe, I just carry my .38 with me in case.
billy bob
June 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
Sure it’s safe as long as you keep a safe distance from the Y.B.M’s…
Redneck Convert
June 2nd, 2009
8:59 am
Well, we could do without more taxes and make Atlanta safer if everyone was made to get a carry permit. The thugs know people don’t carry guns so they just run wild robbing and beating people up. Atlanta needs to be like Kennesaw. Just pass a law that makes everybody own a gun. Heck, with all the lightweight stuff they make nowadays they could make guns that weighed so little even the kids could carry one. I bet the thugs would think twice if they come across a fambly and tried to rob them and everybody in the fambly pulled out a gun and started blasting away. It would even save us all the money we have to spend on Death Penalty cases. Just blam! Instant Death Penalty.
Anyhow, it serves this Atlanta big-shot right her house got broke into. She probly wasted alot of time trying to get our guns took away from us. Maybe she’ll start packing heat now.
That’s my opinion and it’s very true. Have a good day everybody.
Truth2009
June 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
Fayette is another area the blacks havent affected…. YET
And you know what im talking about copyleft…..typical liberal….. someone speaks some truth, and yall wanna deflect away from it any way possible. Ive personally survived carjackings, set up attempts, robberies…. and EVERY time it was a black male. Yea i like blacks alright, its just a shame half of the black youth (under 35) are screwed up in the head because of their violent music culture.
White people need to stop buying into all this “white guilt’ BS that helps to feed blacks violence and laziness.
I see people from Africa come here and make it within a generation! Why didnt the white man hold THEM down!??
Just
June 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
Altanta has more employees per resident than most, if not all major cities in America. Instead of cutting the fat, Atlanta cuts police, fire fighting, parks. Stupid. Atlanta needs someone to cut where needed.
THE TRUTH
June 2nd, 2009
9:00 am
If you get an email titled “nude photos of Sarah Palin,” don’t open it.
It could contain a virus.
If you get an email titled “nude photos of Nancy Pelosi,” don’t open it.
It could contain nude photos of Nancy Pelosi.
Boots
June 2nd, 2009
9:02 am
I have had some mighty good bourbon and other substances to lift one’s spirit; but nothing I’ve ever consumed has made me as delusional as what Churchill’s Mom is imbibing.
Peadawg
June 2nd, 2009
9:03 am
THE TRUTH,
Thanks jerk…I just spit out my coffee, lol! That was hilarious!!!
Ga Values
June 2nd, 2009
9:07 am
billy bob 8:59 am
Where is the list of Georgia Republicans that are CONSERVATIVES?
@@
June 2nd, 2009
9:08 am
Until we return to a mindset where life and property are seen as inviolable rights, (Helloooo Obama) it’ll get progressively worse, Jim.
Do I feel safe in Atlanta?
As safe as I feel anywhere.
I’ve perfected a swagger that deters the seedier elements and thus far hasn’t attracted anyone of the same sex or opposite sex for that matter.
I’m good to go.
Gunslinger
June 2nd, 2009
9:08 am
Do you really have to ask this question? We read your rag, we listen to “news at 6,” we are informed. We know to travel to the ATL at our own peril. I have personally witnessed a shooting in a restaurant at Atlantic Station; have had a friend murdered by a MARTA predator outside the station at Lenox; heard of the visiting surgeon gunned down at the Five Points station; etc.
Is Atlanta safe?
HELL NO!
ATL is the “black Meccah,” the “hip-hop capital of the world.”
What do you expect?
Rickster
June 2nd, 2009
9:11 am
The last time I walked freely in downtown Atlanta was the summer of 1996. The Olympics were starting and security was everywhere. I walked from City Hall to the stadium and watched from outside as the torch was lit.
And then came the bombing at Centennial Olympic Park.
Truth2009
June 2nd, 2009
9:12 am
usually when a violent crime happens you dont have much of a chance to grab a gun…. the criminals have the edge of surprise. I used my head to get out of every situation…. stay calm….. that’s the best advice i can give.
And just know that you just cant trust alot of (y.b.m) like you can other races! sad but true! Walk around with your head up, and act like you know where your going and what your doing….. human predators, just like animal predators… like to pick off the weak and confused.
HUH?
June 2nd, 2009
9:16 am
“Fayette is another area the blacks havent affected…. YET”
North Fayette is neighbor to CC’s Riverdale. Ask any Fayette County law enforcement officer and they’ll tell you what the local government doesn’t. There’s plenty of crime in Fayette. The Pavillion on Hwy 85 should be avoided after sunset.
findog
June 2nd, 2009
9:20 am
I was robbed at the OMNI once at gunpoint in an overnight ticket line for Boston in 1978. It was my fault for making myself an easy target but at least he didn’t get much. I’d look at random crime as opposed to opportunity crime before making a case for safety in Atlanta. The ATL is a lot safer than it was in the late 80’s, early 90’s when CIA supplied crack was killing the children’s. Today I do not think a riot would get out of hand like the Rodney King fiasco at the CNN Center…
glad to see aquagirl’s back
Pissed off
June 2nd, 2009
9:21 am
Truth2009, it is time for you to shut up lying. “YBM” are not to be trusted as much as all white people who since conception have raped, killed and stolen from people of color all over the world.
The truth is no where in the world is safe. I’ve lived in Decatur, all of my life, but only when I lived in a white area of it (Oakhurst Village) was I ever a victim of crime-nothing but a sicko peeping tom whitey who loves to look at a black woman.
Get Real
June 2nd, 2009
9:22 am
Aquagirl @ 8:12 is wrong. If there is anyone that didn’t think public safety was an issue, its the Atlanta City Council who reduced property taxes last year (Mary Norwood), and the Mayor in turn furloughed the police because of it so blame them. Borders only votes in cases of a tie. And its nice to see all the racists up early this morning blaming blacks for all the crime. I do think the guy that kidnapped the woman off the street and took her to TN was white, but don’t let facts get in the way. What about all the young drunk drivers getting in cars killing people? I won’t even go into meth labs.
For rational people, crime has no color and whomever is elected mayor should sufficiently address public safety, which includes adding more firefighters. If EVERYONE would join together and put pressure on the candidates to address these issues, then something will happen.
party pooper
June 2nd, 2009
9:27 am
all white people cant be trusted? that makes you a racist
Typical Liberal
June 2nd, 2009
9:27 am
yall are all racist, dont u know white areas are JUST as bad as black gettos? Blacks only commit more crime in atlanta because theres MORE black people… duh!
Dont you know blacks only commit crimes because de white man be holden em down? In fact i think blacks should take over govt… then der would be no mo cracka racism! Just look at how good dats worked out for South Africa!!
Atlanta Native
June 2nd, 2009
9:27 am
Atlanta IS safe BUT it depends on the metropolitan area. Buckhead and Midtown is in Atlanta and so is West End and Greenbriar. Would I like to live in Buckhead and Midtown? Sure! The public school system is competitive and the area encompasses a better way of life. As far as West End, Bankhead, Lakewood, Campbelton Road, Oakland City and Greenbriar? I plead the fifth!
Boots
June 2nd, 2009
9:28 am
Aquagirl, well, I guess I’m safe then. Anyway, he probably can’t shoot any better than he can spell.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:30 am
Delphi, the bankrupt auto-parts supplier spun off from General Motors,
has agreed to sell most of its assets to Platinum Equity, a private
equity firm specializing in distressed companies.
Truth2009
June 2nd, 2009
9:33 am
Why dont black women keep standing up for black men so much? Face it, you know whites are more trustworthy! Your men beat/abuse you so bad that Femicide is one of the top killers of AA women!
Your men have such low morals they live lives on the DL and catch AIDS…then claim to NOT be gay and spread it to your women. In fact most of the prison rapes are black on whites. Cant black men just beat off in prison like everyone else? whats their obsession with other dudes bootie holes??
AA Women are now the heads of most black households, and churches. Black men have done nothing for you except lead you into fatherless kids, poverty, and rampant STD’s
Mark in mid-town
June 2nd, 2009
9:34 am
Let’s not exaggerate things. Atlantic Station is not as “ghetto as can be”. It’s mostly a nice place with incredible potential, though it’s certainly not the panacea many thought it would be when they plopped down large amounts of money to buy condos and townhomes there. While there are substantial crime problems in Atlanta city limits, it’s not as dangerous a city as it was a few decades ago, nor are the suburbs nearly as crime free as they used to be either. The underclass is not as segregated or isolated as it used to be. This has led to overall lower crime rates, but a much much larger foot-print on which violent crimes occur. That has led to people feeling less safe overall because there is no place to run. So there is a real crime problem that needs to be dealt with since there is no running away from the problem anymore. With specific regard to Atlanta area — over the past decade the quality of life within the city limits has greatly increased, while the quality of life in the suburbs surrounding Atlanta has mostly decreased. I suspect this trend will continue.
Truth2009
June 2nd, 2009
9:34 am
I ment why “do” gluck to all, regardless of race.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:34 am
Citigroup told about five former top executives that they would not be
paid tens of millions of dollars in promised severance payouts,
Nathan
June 2nd, 2009
9:35 am
Truth2009,
Your comments make me really sad. What’s even worse is that someone like yourself probably uses the terms “race card and race baiter” excessively. But you comments tell it all that you are exactly that. People now talk about this “reverse racism” but it all seems to be not very valid. In other words, I’m supposed to play dumb any time situations that involve racism occur and believe that it is all coincidental. As an African-American male, all of us are not stupid, ignorant and thugs. The media just likes to portray us that way. The fact is, and I GUARANTEE, if you had the actual statistics, white people committ just as much crime and blacks across the country. Your truth is very twisted just like a lot of other folks who talk about “reverse racism.” There are racist people on BOTH sides. Your comments also seem to reflect an idea that white people are better and more responsible human beings compared to blacks. What a sad generalization! I hope that whatever offenses that have come to you can be healed in your lifetime. Otherwise, you will continue to live under a false truth.
RetLTC
June 2nd, 2009
9:35 am
You gotta pay to play.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:39 am
JPMorgan Chase and American Express announced plans Monday to sell a
combined $5.5 billion of common stock, hoping to position themselves to
quickly repay funds from the government’s bank bailout plan.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:43 am
A former executive of the Enron’s broadband unit pleaded guilty Monday,
declining to face another trial in his longstanding case.
JohnF
June 2nd, 2009
9:43 am
The issue in Atlanta is not so much about race (although it is to some degree), but more about age. Just about all of the violent crimes have been committed by teenagers. Atlanta could enforce an under-18 curfew (seriously enforce it that is) and the perception of violence in Atlanta would change..because those cowardly punks could now be arrested just for being visible, instead of having to wait until they actually commit a crime (and hopefully catch them). But this administration hasn’t the guts to do that.
Pissed off
June 2nd, 2009
9:44 am
Is it any wonder blacks are racists too? What an ignorant, uneducated piece of poor white trash you are Truth2009.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:44 am
A federal jury found Kmart’s former chief executive, Charles C.
Conaway, liable on Monday for misleading investors about the company’s
cash crisis in the months before its 2002 bankruptcy.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:45 am
H. David Kotz, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s inspector
general, expects in August to conclude his investigation into how the
agency failed to uncover Bernard L. Madoff’s $65 billion Ponzi scheme
despite numerous warning signs.
Big Bucks GOP doing the Lords work
June 2nd, 2009
9:47 am
The highest court in California ruled Monday that Bank of America need
not pay a potential $1 billion in compensation to customers who claimed
the bank illegally raided Social Security benefits to collect fees,