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This meeting was a symposium on Downtown Public Safety.
License Applicants :
Trademark Lounge appeared to present their concept, but did not request a vote of approval. They stated that they would return to the May ADNA meeting and request approval. Residents from Kessler stated that they were working with Trademark to reach resolution of some of their concerns regarding community impact.
Speakers:
W. David (Dave) Wilkinson
President & CEO, Atlanta Police Foundation
Dave emphasized the need for collaboration in order to balance security efforts and the need to minimize disruption. Along these lines, the Atlanta Police Foundations seeks to design a “seamless security environment” that prevents crime instead of just responding to it. The mission of the Atlanta Police Foundation is to drive safety and security in the city of Atlanta using programs to reduce crime, emphasizing prevention, providing tools to the police department and business community. These programs include recruitment initiatives, training programs, scholarships, mounted patrols, crime stoppers, housing for police officers and camera surveillance such as Operation Shield. Above all, the Foundation needs for the community to buy into and support these programs.
Sharla Jackson
Zone 5 Community Prosecutor
The role of the four community prosecutors in zones 1-5 are to identify crime problems, keep up with trends and try to proactively keep up with issues in the communities. Recent projects include surveys surrounding car break-ins to try and change city policy in the way such incidents are handled. In addition to prosecuting repeat offenders, Sharla also works with programs such as Neighborhood Fresh Start (seizing crack houses and selling them to low-income families), the Courtwatch program (involving community members in the treatment of repeat offenders, and the Environmental Design program (preventing crime through changes in the community environment).
Major Lane Hagin
Zone 5 Commander Atlanta Police Department
Major Hagin confirmed that community prosecution programs such as banishment have been seen to work. He also discussed the new precinct at 200 Spring Street and its expected positive impact on the area, with an additional 50 foot officers. While crime still exists in the downtown area, it has been reduced by 4% compared to last year. Some problems still persist, and according to Major Hagin, more than 70 cars a week are broken into in zone 5 alone. Major Hagin solicited feedback from community members regarding their perspective on crime in their area, and uses this feedback to help shape APD programs.
Lindsey Myers
Program Coordinator, Women and Children’s Services
Lindsey also emphasized the need for collaboration in downtown public safety. The Gateway Center is committed to ending chronic homelessness, and does not believe that emergency shelters are the answer. The center is program-based, seeking to help individuals gain employment and find permanent housing, partnering with entities such as the Department of Labor (which has already seen 2000 clients at its Gateway location). The center operates 2 pre-treatment programs and has already demonstrated effectiveness. More than 670 people have sought treatment in Gateway programs, 560 have gotten a job, 700 have been placed in permanent housing and 1000 have been re-unified with their families in other states via Gateway programs. Lindsey stressed that much of the homelessness seen by downtown residents is the most negative face, and does not represent the struggles faced by many of the clients who seek help at places such as the Gateway center.
David E. Wardell, CPP
Vice President, Operations and Public Safety
Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District
Dave discussed efforts of the Clean Team, Operation Shield, and ordinance reviews. The Clean Team cleans downtown 3-4 times daily. There are more than 20 Ambassadors on the street at any given time. Efforts such as these address quality of life issues that are key to Atlanta’s number one employer – the hospitality industry. CAP’s new Operation Shield program is now online, and connects 13 cameras throughout the downtown area. Finally, Dave discussed the work CAP is doing regarding review of ordinances targeted at downtown quality of life. Some ordinances appear to be enforced more than others, at both the officer and court levels. Using this analysis may be helpful in crafting better policies moving forward.
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