In Jacario Wilson’s opinion, if Atlanta really wants reduce violence among teens and young adults, it must take a proactive approach to the problem. “The youth is crashing,” the 23-year-old said. “A lot of people not really worried about the youth [until] they’re in their face ready to call the cops on them, and then […]
Public Safety
Posted inPublic Safety
Atlanta Teens Want a Voice in the Fight to Stop Gun Violence
As summer approaches, the need to get a handle on the gun violence that is being perpetrated in recent weeks by and against Atlanta’s teens and young adults has taken center stage. After two deadly weekends in a row claimed the lives of 16-year-old Tianah Robinson and 12-year-old Cameron Coney and left other kids wounded, […]
Posted inCulture, Public Safety
After 404 Day Backlash, New Proposal Stirs Fears of Crackdown on Black Atlanta Events
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting that took the life of a young teen after a 404 Day celebration earlier this month, legislation aimed at increasing scrutiny of events hosted at Piedmont Park is raising discrimination concerns. Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan was inundated with hundreds of calls and emails following the April 4 […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Public Safety
After Teen Shootings, Atlanta Faces New Pressure to Expand Prevention Efforts
Before his life was tragically cut short last Saturday, 12-year-old Cameron Coney was a kid with a big personality who loved to play football, according to his family members who spoke to reporters at a vigil earlier this week. The Long Middle School student was shot and killed inside his bedroom at his family’s home […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety
After Deadly Shooting, Atlanta Parents Say Curfew Is Just a Step in Fixing Teen Violence
When North Clayton High Schoolers return from spring break next week, the halls will be missing one of their friends, 10th grader Tianah Robinson. The 16-year-old’s life was taken during a shooting at Piedmont Park over Easter weekend that also wounded 15-year-old Italia Wilson. She is now recovering at home with her family in Norcross. […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Public Safety
Two Atlanta Mothers Fight for Justice After Deadly Hit-and-Runs Go Unpunished
Valerie Handy-Carey is no closer to finding her daughter Brittany’s killer today than she was when she got the call about her death over three years ago. “My daughter is dead, and nobody has been held accountable,” Handy-Carey told Capital B Atlanta from her home in Columbus, Ohio. A flight attendant for Spirit Airlines, 33-year-old […]
Posted inCommunity, Politics & Policy, Public Safety
Immigrants’ Advocate Fights ICE Raids, Federal Push to ‘Snatch Our People’
As Georgia ranks as one of the top states for Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests, immigrants, families, and advocates on the front lines share their fears and the fight for freedom in a series of interviews. Nana Gyamfi is intentional about the word she uses to encapsulate federal agents’ ongoing sweep in Atlanta and throughout […]
Posted inElections, Politics & Policy, Public Safety
What Does Public Safety Look Like to You? A City Council Candidate Asks Atlantans.
Creating a climate where people feel safe in their communities can be one of the most difficult tasks an elected official takes on. Public safety is an umbrella term for a network of community, law enforcement and public health officials working together to create that sense of security. This election cycle, both candidates running for […]
Posted inHigher Education, Public Safety
HBCUs Were on Lockdown After Terrorist Threats
Several Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country were on lockdown Thursday after a series of “terrorist threats.” Early Thursday morning, Hampton University and Virginia State University said they received terrorist threats. Later, the list grew as Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Southern University in Louisiana, and Bethune-Cookman in Florida reported threats. Spelman […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Public Safety
After Mass Shooting, Atlanta Launches New Safety Measures in Sweet Auburn
Last Monday, a mass shooting on Edgewood Avenue left 11 people injured, one man dead, and Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood reeling. In response to increased pressure from the neighborhood planning unit, the city on Aug. 4 released its Coordinated Safety & Compliance Measures on Edgewood Avenue plan with a list of actions to address safety […]