Is crime in Atlanta going back up? (Gainesville, Franklin: crime rate, live) - Georgia (GA) - City-Data Forum

SEAandATL · 05-11-2007, 01:15 PM

Lately when I read the paper, it seems like almost everyday there is someone getting murdered in Atlanta (sometimes 2 or 3). I know it's not something Atlantans are unfamiliar with (unfortunately), since Atlanta has been ranked in the top 3 in the U.S. for highest crime rate for many years, and it was especially bad pre-'96 Olympics. But the crime rate in ATL started decreasing continuously after the '96 Olympics, and around 2004 and 2005, crime in Atlanta has reached a 40-year low. It was also reflected in the rankings of the highest crimes list when Atlanta moved down from #3 to #7 in 2004, and even off the top 10 in 2005.

Is this the end of the progress that Atlanta has made? Is the only way to go back up? Or maybe it's not just Atlanta but a national trend. I really thoght that Mayor Shirley Franklin did a good job helping make ATL a cleaner, safer place than it used to be. I remember when the 2005 statistics came out that there was celebration within the Atlanta P.D. and city council, that crime was a thing of the past (of course there was still crime, but much less than before).

atlantagreg30127 · 05-11-2007, 11:30 PM

Most people forgot the controversy a few years back when the Feds discovered that the Atlanta police department um... "forgot" to log and record something like 20,000 crimes in one year on the books. There was a big stink about it and everyone claimed ignorance that it had happened, no one was responsible, it was a clerical error. Before they discovered this "error" stats showed a big decrease in crime in Atlanta which gave some nice bonuses to a few folks who head the police - but once it was discovered and the numbers put back in the stats, it shot right back up to some of the highest crime rates in the country (I don't remember hearing that the bonus checks got returned, though).

20,000 crimes not logged is a "clerical error".

Per capita Atlanta has still ranked up there way higher than New York. Few cities match it (such as New Orleans). Lately there have been some eyebrows raised about police chief Pennington's abilities (who by the way came from New Orleans). He is however, a close friend to the Mayor (surprise!).

It's not just inner Atlanta though - read through some of the smaller satellite city newspapers and you'll see a trend in crime increases throughout the metro area. You do need to remember that after Katrina, the metro area "inherited" an estimated 80,000 people from the New Orleans area - many legit victims, but some criminals migrated with them, too. Just as Houston saw a rise in certain crimes post-Katrina, so did Atlanta.

Without major changes in leadership however, chances are things won't change. Clark Howard (the financial guy who lives in Atlanta) has recently said he's considering a run for the next Mayorial election in Atlanta. I think it's a great idea.

xavier132487 · 05-16-2007, 03:38 PM

Clark Howard running? I'd like to see that!

jxu66 · 05-16-2007, 04:04 PM

Yes, demographic in city of Atlanta changed rapidly as more wealthy folks move to city. Clark howard said he is maybe running and IMO, he maybe even have a chance to win it. That's just unthinkable even a couple of years ago.

JPD · 05-17-2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jxu66

Yes, demographic in city of Atlanta changed rapidly as more wealthy folks move to city. Clark howard said he is maybe running and IMO, he maybe even have a chance to win it. That's just unthinkable even a couple of years ago.

A chance? If Clark Howard runs he will win in the biggest landslide in the history of democratic elections.

That's my prediction.

SEAandATL · 05-23-2007, 11:09 AM

My concern is if Atlanta is the only city where crime is going up. The crime rate of San Diego and Los Angeles have dropped a lot so far this year, but I'm not sure how the other cities are doing. I just don't want Atlanta to be the laughing-stock of the nation.

JPD · 05-23-2007, 12:29 PM

We have a lot of New Orleans folks who came here after Katrina. Not all of them are good people. A certain percentage are commiting crimes. That has contributed to our rise in crime.

cool_mommy · 05-23-2007, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

My concern is if Atlanta is the only city where crime is going up. The crime rate of San Diego and Los Angeles have dropped a lot so far this year, but I'm not sure how the other cities are doing. I just don't want Atlanta to be the laughing-stock of the nation.

I don't think that Atlanta would be a laughing stock of the nation. If I'm not mistaken (going from memory here) Camden, NJ is #1 for the worst crime in the nation.

xxman777 · 05-23-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool_mommy

I don't think that Atlanta would be a laughing stock of the nation. If I'm not mistaken (going from memory here) Camden, NJ is #1 for the worst crime in the nation.

Camden dropped to #5. East St. Louis is now #1. Although judging from a recent trip to Camden I can't see how.

Georgia · 05-23-2007, 05:17 PM

I travel up to Philly and the Camden area once a quarter. One can say Camden is a nasty place and not be accused of fibbing, it is!
With this said, Atlanta is quadruple the size of Camden so it is hard to make a comparison. Camden itself is about the size of Gainesville.

When I look at Atlanta I see a diamond in the rough, make that very rough.
So much potential, so much promise. The issue is leadership which this city has not had in decades. I hope Greg is right and Clark does run, but even with his radio show I doubt he would have much of a chance.

Oh yes, while in the ATL you still want to proceed with caution.