Atlanta Councilman Calls for Return of Officers Protecting Public Safety Center
Atlanta Suffers While Police Protect Training Center
Atlanta’s District 12 is confronting rising crime rates, states Councilman Antonio Lewis. His main complaint stems from the reassignment of Zone 3 officers to guard the construction site of the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, which, according to him, leaves his district vulnerable.
“I’ve been giving addresses to the major. We got some three murders last week. My uncle also got shot two months ago at an address. I gave the major the address,” Lewis elaborated on the current state of his district.
Diversion of Resources Whisper Alarm Bells
Lewis’ concerns revolve around the oversupply of police officers safeguarding the future Public Safety Training Center – an $110-million investment projected to attract first responders from across the Southeast. The toll on his district, however, is already discernable.
The councilman remarked on this predicament, “I’ve been reaching out to my major in my district, and I’m not satisfied with the answers about it. We walked into an active chop shop last week. I saw about 50 kids and approximately 75 Hyundais right on Metropolitan Parkway.”
Atlanta Police Chief Counters with Reassurance
In response to the allegations of police neglect in Zone 3, Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum conveyed, “The sooner we can have a group stop setting things on fire, the sooner we can return officers to the neighborhoods, because should we be protecting the training center? No, sir. I will not allow the citizens of Atlanta to see their safety erode because a handful of individuals have committed and used violence and arson to make the city less safe.”
Protestors and vandals have fought the ongoing construction of the training center, resulting in over 78 instances of arson. However, Chief Schierbaum remains undeterred, “We will not let a small group of individuals erode the safety of the city by attacking its training campus.”
The Ongoing Dispute
“I think we need our officers back in our districts. I can see an active chop shop happening right now. I need help in Zone 3,” the councilman pleaded.
In contrast, Chief Schierbaum insisted that criminal activity in Zone 3 reduced by 7% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the alleged chop shop continues to operate freely.
The police department is, however, actively investigating the case, assuring that everyone’s concerns are being taken seriously.
The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center remains the cornerstone of this discussion, as it continues to bring law enforcement from across the Southeast. Yet, its growing appeal is leading to immediate fallout within local communities. The ensuing disagreement between Councilman Lewis and Police Chief Schierbaum captures the heart of this delicate situation.
