Atlanta Police and a coalition of local, state and federal agencies are offering a $200,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of people who have been setting fires across the region to protest construction of Atlanta’s public safety training facility.
Atlanta police Chief Darin Schierbaum announced the reward at a press conference Thursday and said police believe a small “handful” of people are behind fires that have targeted construction companies, police facilities and a youth community center. Police believe those involved are also responsible for similar crimes in other states.
“What is known is they’re dangerous,” he said. “What is known is they don’t care about life and safety.”
City officials say the $90-million public safety center is critically needed to replace rundown and even condemned training facilities. But the center has drawn protests from people fearful of police militarization and environmental damage to the South River Forest where it is located. More than 60 activists have been indicted on racketeering charges and some face additional charges of domestic terrorism, arson and money laundering.
The unsolved incidents police are investigating date back to May 2022, when someone broke a window at the back of the At-Promise Center and tossed in four Molotov cocktails and an incendiary device. The center is funded by the Atlanta Police Foundation, which is also funding some of the costs of the training facility. Two people can be seen in surveillance footage walking up to the building and then running away.
Credit: Atlanta Fire Rescue
Credit: Atlanta Fire Rescue
Officials announced a $20,000 reward for information in that case in 2022. They upped the reward to $60,000 this past August following additional incidents.
Since then, police say even more fires have been set: A contractor had his equipment set on fire a third time in October; and in November, work vehicles owned by Ernst Concrete were set ablaze in Gwinnett County.
Most, but not all, of the incidents have targeted contractors or agencies connected to the training center’s construction. Ernst Concrete, where 12 cement trucks were destroyed, has said it is not involved in the construction.
Schierbaum said the larger reward is a reflection of the risk that another arson could lead to a loss of life.
“We’ve been very fortunate that no one has died yet,” he said.
Protestors have claimed responsibility for each of the incidents. After the incident at Ernst Concrete, an online post took credit for placing incendiary devices near the trucks. Another post, claiming credit for an incident involving the destruction of a contractor’s equipment, said “we will wage a campaign of violence and destruction on any and all contractors.”
Police are seeking information about the following incidents:
- The fire at Ernst Concrete in November that destroyed 12 cement trucks.
- Fires in April, July and October 2023 that burned construction equipment at a site on McDonough Boulevard.
- A July fire that set Atlanta Police motorcycles ablaze.
- The vandalism of Atlanta Police cars in July.
- The youth center fire in May 2022.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta at 404-577-8477, text information to 274637 or submit tips to the Crime Stoppers website. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
