Residents demand answers about crime at town hall

ATLANTA — A series of shootings one Atlanta community has neighbors fed up. They say much of the crime is happening next to an elementary school.

Residents demanded answers about crime near Grant Park at a town hall on Wednesday they say most of the crime is coming from an apartment complex right next to Parkside Elementary school.

"And when crime happens at your doorstep, you get even more concerned," said resident Mike Johnson.

Atlanta police report several shootings at the Trestletree Apartments just this year.

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Two men were shot in March, a shootout between two groups of men on August 28 and reports of more shots fired the very next day.

"Yes, I've heard gunshots in the neighborhood. It's a little nerve-wracking," said Matt Holcomb, a parent who lives in the area.

One neighbor gave us pictures of a bullet hole from one of the shootings last month.

"Any crime is a problem. Everyone needs to feel safe.  We all deserve to feel safe," said Atlanta City Councilwoman Carla Smith said.

Smith called the town hall with the Atlanta Police Department and Trestletree Management.

By the end she believes they found possible solutions like an officer on the school grounds during drop-off and pick-up times  and at the apartment complex, a review of all safety and security procedures, including making sure the gates always work.

But some neighbors worry, they're just band-aids on bigger community problems.

"Until we find the problem and root it out, it's going to continue," Holcomb said.

Cox Media Group