When high profile crimes occur, the natural reaction in the press and public is to get anxious about public safety. As public officials, we listen to those concerns in the context of the work we are doing, and determine whether new tactics are needed.
In looking at recent events, certain things become clear. First, Atlanta is without question safer than it has been in decades. Over the past five years, we averaged 109 homicides, the lowest since 1964-1968. Overall, the crime rate is at 1969 levels, and is down 66 percent since it peaked in 1989.
However, most people care about what is happening now.
Every week we analyze crime trends. In 2009, crime is down 10 percent, but we have some semi-organized criminal activity occurring. One group – the Blue Jean Bandits –has been breaking into stores stealing jeans and televisions. We caught 32 of them and think this has been resolved.
Several muggings around Georgia Tech led to four arrests. No muggings have been reported in three weeks.
We had some carjackings in Zone 1, most notably involving City Councilman Ceasar Mitchell. Although carjackings are down by 29 percent citywide, there has been a spike around Washington Park. We have a plan and will catch these guys.
Some claim APD needs more resources and that we are losing police officers. Let me set the record straight: We are not losing police officers at a rate different from the past, or elsewhere in the country. In 2008, 165 police officers left the force. That may sound like a lot, but it is consistent with past attrition and the rate most cities experience. Our police officers are paid more than almost any in the region; their salaries have increased by 27 percent since I have been here (more than any other employees in city government). Retiree pension and health benefits have been expanded, too.
We have enough resources. We have added more than 300 police officers during my time here. When I arrived in 2002, I had one police officer for every 35 violent and property crimes committed that year. Now I have one police officer for every 26 of those crimes committed. That 30 percent improvement is entirely due to the city’s commitment to give us the resources we need.
During my term, we have reinvented policing in the city. We implemented all of the recommendations of the turnaround plan of Linder & Associates. We built a crime-mapping tool that tracks crime geographically and helps us concentrate resources. We redesigned our beats and instituted foot patrols for the first time in 30 years. We have new police vehicles, facilities and a state-of-the-art 911 call center. A new Atlanta Police Foundation advocates for the department and attracts private funding. We have created Crime Stoppers and Neighborhood Watch groups.
Since I joined the force crime is down 25 percent. Where is the chief? Working hard for you and employing 30-plus years of professional training and experience on the job.
Richard Pennington is Atlanta Police Chief.
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