New preliminary data shows violent crime is declining in Atlanta even as former President Donald Trump claims it is out of control.
At a rally earlier this month, Trump criticized city officials for their response to crime.
“Under these kinds of woke, radical left policies, Atlanta is like a killing field,” Trump said.
The Major Cities Chiefs Association recently found that the city did report slightly more homicides and rapes in the first six months of 2024, compared to the same time frame last year.
Atlanta Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said at Monday’s public safety committee meeting that the increase was due to “escalated disputes” and “domestic violence.”
However, according to the association’s data, robbery reports dropped by nearly 17%, and aggravated assault reports fell by 13%.
It’s difficult to know exactly what’s causing the overall decline in violent crime, including a 17% decrease in homicides nationwide, but the U.S. Department of Justice said it may be partially due to the agency’s work with state and local law enforcement to hire more police officers, disrupt violent drug trafficking, arrest violent felons and seize and trace guns used in crimes.
“This updated data comes in the wake of last year’s historic drop in homicides nationwide and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years,” it stated. “Three and a half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime rooted in investing in our partnerships with other federal law enforcement agencies, with state and local law enforcement who risk their lives to keep their communities safe every day, and with the communities we all serve.”
In Atlanta, city officials hope a new public safety training center, dubbed “Cop City” by opponents, will further support these efforts, including helping to recruit and retain more officers.
But, demonstrations against the 85-acre, $90-million project have been occurring for about three years now, with some environmentalists and abolitionists saying they are concerned that it will further militarize police and disproportionately impact the low-income, majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods surrounding the site.
A federal appeals court in Atlanta heard arguments on whether the public can put the future of the training center on a ballot in December, but it has yet to issue a ruling.
In the meantime, construction is ongoing, and the training center is slated to open later this year.
