Dickens says he’s already getting to work as Atlanta’s mayor-elect

ATLANTA — The day after winning the Atlanta mayor’s race, Andre Dickens says he’s already getting to work.

Dickens told Channel 2′s Dave Huddleston that his first order of business will be to open City Hall so people can have access to services, but he said right away he wants to fix crime -- and that’s what many voters want him to do as well.

Dickens waved at passing cars in northeast Atlanta Wednesday afternoon with a big sign behind him telling drivers thanks for their votes.

Dickens said he wants to start working before January’s inauguration day to solve the city’s crime issue. That’s exactly what Lisa Baskind said she wants.

“I would have the new mayor focus on the crime rate. I just moved here from Texas and the amount of crime we have here in Atlanta, I didn’t have in my hometown in Texas. It’s unnerving,” Baskind said.

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Dickens said he’s already met with the police chief about changes he wants from the force.

“The surge to hire 200 officers and get new streetlights so we use technology,” Dickens said.

Aaron Jackson said crime could go down if Dickens focuses on activities for young people.

“I need the mayor to focus on the kids, because there’s still a lot of things that need to be done out here,” Jackson said.

“Arrest the gang leaders that are preying on our youth. (Fulton County District Attorney) Fani Willis and I have already talked about how to do that,” Dickens said.

Dickens said he’s already talked with Gov. Brian Kemp, Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston and other state lawmakers about how they can work to keep Buckhead from becoming its own city.

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Mayor-elect Andre Dickens speaks to Channel 2 live in WSB-TV studio

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