News
Under Mayor Dickens, Crime & Violence Continue to Fall in Buckhead
The latest data from the City of Atlanta Police Department (APD) shows that crime and violence continue to fall in Buckhead and throughout the city.
The latest year-over-year statistics for Buckhead:
- ROBBERIES: DOWN 29%
- AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: DOWN 39%
- RAPE: DOWN 60%
- THEFT FROM AUTO: DOWN 13%
- AUTO THEFT: DOWN 11%
Although there are still areas where more work needs to be done, major crimes against people has dropped throughout the city by more than 12%.
By any standard, this is remarkable progress for the safety and security of residents and businesses in Buckhead and Atlanta.
Furthermore, it is not an accident.
Mayor Dickens’ public safety strategy – One Safe City – is working.
The plan is a balanced and holistic approach that mobilizes the entire city government and engages public-private partners, communities, and residents. It is focusing on the root causes of crime, as well as targeting gangs, drugs, illegal guns, and repeat offenders to keep neighborhoods safe and welcoming for everyone.
“It takes strong partnerships – the faith community, the business community, the non-profits, individuals, parents, and others to pull this off, said Dickens.”
Dickens’ Year of the Youth Initiative is also a contributing factor in the drop in crime. The initiative employs young people during the summer and provides them with more after-school opportunities like the mayor’s Midnight Basketball program to keep them out of trouble.
This comes on the heels of major pay increases for Atlanta Police Officers that have boosted morale, recruitment and retention, and a new take-home program allowing officers to take their squad car home, which not only benefits officers but provides a visible and tangible sense of safety and security in our neighborhoods.
Upon taking office, Mayor Dickens has made public safety a top priority of his Administration and emphasized that it is a group project.
The mayor said that although he is pleased with the latest statistics, he is still plans to do more to make our community safer.
Chief Darin Schierbaum agreed and said the work doesn’t stop now. “The crime-fighting efforts, made a priority by Mayor Andre Dickens, will continue to focus on getting guns off the streets by targeting gangs and drug dealers.”
“This isn’t an end, this is a beginning,” Schierbaum recently said. “We’re going to continue to fight crime. And we’re very fortunate that every day that we fight crime, we’re doing it in partnership with our mayor.”
The latest statistics showed the trend late last year showing Atlanta with the 3rd largest drop in violent crime continues. Mayor Andre Dickens said that Atlanta’s remarkable progress in reducing crime has brought us closer to his goal of creating a #OneSafeCity.
“With a significant drop in overall crimes against persons, we are making a positive impact on the lives of our residents. Together, we are building a city where safety and security are our top priorities.”
As Buckhead and Atlanta’s crime rates decline, it is clear the strategy of Mayor Dickens is working. His leadership and vision, his close partnerships with the APD and the State of Georgia, and his engagement with community leaders are providing real results for the people of Atlanta.