Atlanta’s rising crime problem brings threats of state intervention by Georgia lawmakers (Blue Ridge: house, taxes)

[Born 2 Roll]

Atlanta could face intervention from state authorities to help crackdown on rising crime in Georgia’s capital city amid a spate of violent and property crimes over the past year.

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) on Thursday called for a General Assembly panel to study Atlanta’s crime problem over the summer and decide whether “state intervention may be necessary.”

“In the past I have resisted calls for state oversight of a city’s operations,” Ralston said at a news conference. “But this pandemic of lawlessness has now reached crisis proportions.”

Ralston informed Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms of the legislature’s intentions in a letter sent Thursday. Bottoms’ office did not immediately respond to a request for comment...

... Atlanta saw 157 murders in 2020, marking a steep increase from previous years. Assaults and auto thefts are also on the rise, contributing to a crime situation in Atlanta that Ralston said the city “doesn’t seem to be able to bring under control.”

Georgia Lawmakers To Look At State Intervention In Atlanta Crime-Fighting (Georgia Public Broadcasting/Capitol Beat News Service)

[markjames68]

I wouldn’t bother. This is KLB’s situation to fix, and she’s up for re-election in 7 or so months.

[Smocaine]

It's hard to imagine anything being done. The violence is, for now, mostly between people who know each other and are kind of expecting it (frankly, if you're going to a nightclub in Atlanta, you know what you're getting into). In other words, no one really cares. No politician actually wants to do anything that would put a lid on it for very obvious political reasons.


It would have to get much, much worse and involve a lot more bystanders for anything to happen. We're in a crime upswing and the criminals know that no one's really going to do much.

[Space_League]

Originally Posted by Smocaine

It's hard to imagine anything being done. The violence is, for now, mostly between people who know each other and are kind of expecting it (frankly, if you're going to a nightclub in Atlanta, you know what you're getting into). In other words, no one really cares. No politician actually wants to do anything that would put a lid on it for very obvious political reasons.


It would have to get much, much worse and involve a lot more bystanders for anything to happen. We're in a crime upswing and the criminals know that no one's really going to do much.

I mean there's a lot of people who don't have mortal enemies, but still want to go out and enjoy some nightlife without significant risk of violence.

[arjay57]

What in the heck is the state of Georgia going to do if they take over the ATL? Post state troopers and the National Guard at all the nightclubs and malls?

[Smocaine]

Originally Posted by Space_League

I mean there's a lot of people who don't have mortal enemies, but still want to go out and enjoy some nightlife without significant risk of violence.

There's a world of difference between normal nightlife activity and the worst-of-the-worst Atlanta nightclubs that attract gunfire.


That's why I think all the violence hooplah is overblown; if you're not interested in having bullets whizz past your head, it's not hard to avoid. It's only a problem, per se, when it leaks to normal places like Piedmont Park. Which is still rare.

[Thulsa]

Originally Posted by arjay57

What in the heck is the state of Georgia going to do if they take over the ATL? Post state troopers and the National Guard at all the nightclubs and malls?

That's my question too.
My guess is they will fund a commission, and the conclusion will be to lower taxes.

[ampalive]

https://www.npr.org/2021/01/06/95325...ndemic-in-2020

Crime is up in all major US cities. Kemp really is the blame for opening up Atlanta and the tourist bringing the crime with them on last year

[Craziaskowboi]

Major U.S. cities are reaping what they've sown.

[AtlJan]

Originally Posted by Smocaine

It's hard to imagine anything being done. The violence is, for now, mostly between people who know each other and are kind of expecting it (frankly, if you're going to a nightclub in Atlanta, you know what you're getting into). In other words, no one really cares. No politician actually wants to do anything that would put a lid on it for very obvious political reasons.


It would have to get much, much worse and involve a lot more bystanders for anything to happen. We're in a crime upswing and the criminals know that no one's really going to do much.

The crime has gotten to the point where bystanders don't feel safe. Kennedy Maxie was killed just riding by Lenox in her aunt's car. As a resident of Buckhead, I would welcome state intervention. Sure, the mayor is up for reelection in 7 months but I don't have much confidence in her successor changing anything.