ATLANTA — Community leaders and Atlanta police are focused on reducing crime in Buckhead. This area has seen a noticeable uptick in crimes over the past year.
The community is taking measured steps to reduce crime. The first step is increasing the police presence in many of the popular spots around the area.
“I do think it does make people feel safe to have police around and to see them… and there’s definitely a comfort to that,” said Buckhead resident Ashlea Neal.
The Buckhead Community Improvement District, or BCID, is paying to add four off-duty officers to patrol. These officers will work in certain areas around Buckhead during the week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“One of the specific crimes we’re going to be targeting will be larceny from automobiles,” Jim Durrett, executive director of BCID, said.
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The BCID is currently paying for vehicle patrols to oversee the commercial core of Buckhead. These patrols are carried out from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. six days a week.
The bike patrols are just one extension of their security plan.
“By May, we will have added 14 new cameras and 14 new licenses plate readers in Buckhead. It serves both deterrent as well as helps the detectives solve crime once they’re committed,” Durrett said.
Residents and visitors to the area can also help to curb crime.
“There’s a combination of being smart, paying attention and taking their keys out of their car and not leaving valuables in the their car,” Neal said.
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