ATLANTA — Atlanta’s mayor has a message for criminals: “If you commit a crime in Atlanta — we’re coming for you.”
Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant shared their plan Tuesday to cut crime and solve cases across the city.
Dickens said if he has his way, people will even see mounted police patrols in city parks.
Some business owners in the Sweet Auburn Community told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington that they hope those added resources come their way.
Jerome Edmundson owns property in the area. He shot video that showed huge weekend gatherings that he said are a constant nuisance in the Sweet Auburn area and he wants it to stop.
“They come in they take over your property. They leave, you’ve got busted windows,” Edmundson said. “I don’t think the area can take another summer like this.”
Tuesday morning, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced plans to better tackle crime in the city.
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“If you think you want to commit a crime in this city, think again, because we have our eyes on you,” Dickens said.
Dickens said with the warmer months coming, he wants more patrols -- specifically mounted police patrols in city parks and along the Atlanta BeltLine.
“We are continuing to expand our force with two new classes of recruits in training right now,” Dickens said.
That announcement follows two high profile murders: One near the BeltLine, where a suspect is now charged, the other a stabbing at Piedmont Park which remains unsolved.
“That is still an ongoing investigation right now. It has shifted to a forensic investigation where we are relying on the science and technology,” said Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Charles Hampton.
Edmundson said he hopes police do more to focus on the Sweet Auburn area. In 2020, two people were shot and killed near his property.
“I am hopeful and at this point, am really prayerful that the mayor and the chief will put forth this effort because we need all the help that we can get,” Edmundson said.
Edmunson told Washington that both the mayor and the police chief have reached out to him, and he will be meeting with the special crimes unit this weekend.
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