Atlanta city councilor calls for return of officers protecting public safety center

ATLANTA – Security continues around the clock at the site of Atlanta’s new public safety training center as vandals and protesters attempt to derail the controversial project.

At least one Atlanta City Council member expressed concern that his district is suffering from the high number of officers assigned to security at the 85-acre site.

District 12 Councilor Antonio Lewis insists crime is happening in his district and he wants Zone 3 officers back in the community to keep neighborhoods safe.

“So I gave the major some addresses. We had three murders last week. My uncle was shot two months ago at an address. I gave the major the address.” ‘ Lewis complained.

Lewis is frustrated. He says he’s literally watching crime happen in his district, while officers are still tasked with protecting the nearly $110 million project that will attract first responders from across the Southeast.

Lewis says he’s concerned about Southeast Atlanta.

“I have contacted my major in my district and am not satisfied with the responses on this matter. Last week, myself and a group of community leaders walked into an active chop shop. I have some spoke to the major, I saw about 50 kids and about 75 Hyundais on Metropolitan Parkway,” Lewis said.

Atlanta Police Chief Responds to Officers Guarding ‘Cop City’

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum quickly responded.

“The sooner we can get a group to stop setting fires, the sooner we can send the officers back to the neighborhoods, because should we protect the training center? No, sir. I will not allow the citizens of Atlanta to see their security eroded because a small group of individuals committed and used violence and arson to make the city less safe,” the APD commander explained.

Opponents have waged a very public fight against the public safety training center site, with at least 78 incidents of arson and violence.

“We will not allow a very small group of individuals to undermine the security of the city by attacking its training campus,” Chief Schierbaum responded.

The councilman respectfully disagrees.

“I think we need our officers in our districts because, to have an active cutting shop that the council member walks into, all they get is an email saying, ‘We’re going to ask the misdemeanors of the way to investigate this.’ I see this happening right now I need help in zone 3,” the councilor insisted.

Chief Schierbaum pointed out that crime is actually down 7% in Zone 3 compared to the same time last year.

While the city councilor stressed that the retail store is still operating. The chief says his department is actively working on this matter.