Atlanta’s mayor will reveal his office’s plan to fight summer crime in the city.
Mayor Andre Dickens will join Atlanta Police Department and Chief Rodney Bryant for a news conference Tuesday at 11 a.m.
The latest weekly crime statistics as of May 21, 2022 show violent crime is up compared to the start of last summer. Homicides are up 32%, rape 16% and aggravated assault 3%.
Reducing crime and helping police morale have been top priorities for the Dickens administration. The city has created a new Nightlife Division and Repeat Offenders Division.
Dickens has also spoken with Channel 2 about creating a chief operating officer position who would be in charge of addressing the pressings needs of police, including a shortage of officers.
One part of the summer safety plan has already been in the works. The city wants to get teens off the streets and into good jobs. Dickens hosted a youth employment “signing day” on Friday.
Several Atlanta businesses were there, including Coca-Cola, Accenture and the Georgia Aquarium.
The goal is to hire 3,000 teens this summer.
“It will enable them to earn money, develop critical skills and partake in meaningful work experience that they can build on to set the stage for future successes.”
Dickens has also brought back the city’s Midnight Basketball program. Games have been held at the CT Martin Recreation Center.
The mayor has said it’s a better way to spend a night compared to what some young people have gotten involved in. He said crime prevention starts in the gym.
“On the front end, it is events like this, midnight basketball, summer youth program, things like that, deter folks from getting involved in crime to begin with,” Dickens said. “That starts right here.”