Atlanta police are touting a double-digit decrease in crime in the Buckhead neighborhood compared to the same time last year.
It comes just a few months after the Buckhead Cityhood movement failed in the state legislature. Supporters of that effort cite crime as their top reason for wanting to leave Atlanta.
Interim police chief Darin Schierbaum spoke Wednesday at the new Buckhead Village police precinct.
“Emblazoned on this precinct is the seal of the Atlanta Police Department, meaning that this community of Buckhead is protected by the Atlanta Police Department,” Schierbaum said.
A small contingent of supporters from the Buckhead Cityhood movement showed up at the ceremony to demonstrate.
Several Georgia GOP lawmakers had backed the Buckhead Cityhood movement, but it was shelved by Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston, both Republicans.
In an effort to reduce crime, Atlanta is attempting to boost hiring and retention of police officers, with a goal of bringing 250 new officers on board and offering bonuses to current officers.
“We currently have 140 recruits,” said Schierbaum. “We have the longest training curriculum of any police department in the state. So we’re moving in the right direction.”
Atlanta police say crime in Zone 2 is down 12% compared to the third week of June in 2021. This includes a 7% drop in violent crime, according to the city.
The new precinct features a dozen officers and two supervisors. Zone 2, which encompasses Buckhead, Lenox Park, a part of Midtown and Piedmont Heights, has 120 police personnel assigned to it.
“This adds 12 more folks right here in this Buckhead Village area for faster response time, for more visibility, for more community relationships and business relationships,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “Many of them will be on bikes or able to be closer in proximity to many of the things that are going on in this very vibrant district.”
Dickens was joined for the ribbon cutting by Gov. Brian Kemp.
“Public safety has no political boundaries,” Kemp said. “Whether you’re Republican, you’re Democrat or whether you don’t care. You want your neighborhood to be safe, you want your streets to be safe and that’s what today is all about: fulfilling the No. 1 duty of government by protecting its citizens.”
