I attended the Franklin/Pennington press conference this morning and the take away was that the city is going to start addressing crime by taking these steps:

• APD will start putting more officers on the street, assigning new graduates to foot patrols
• They will start targeting gangs, especially youth gangs
• APD will increase the gang task force to 24 officers (up from 6)
• Enforcement of the curfew law (which is 11pm)
• More APD sweeps in high-crime, known gang areas
• Asking the community and business to be on the lookout and assist APD

Honestly, I went into the press conference with low expectations. I expected Franklin and Pennington to address the crime problem like they usually do: citing statistics that show crime is down. Although they did tout their accomplishments (Atlanta moving from #3 to #15 in FBI crime rankings), I was happy with them offering some pro-active solutions. The merits of these measures are for you to decide (as will their tangible affects in our neighborhoods) but I think these are decent proposals.

If you’d like to review my notes from the conference I will post those after the flip. They’re just in “bullet point” form but you’ll be able to discern them. I’m curious as to your reaction so please comment!

Mayor Franklin

-First time in public safety building (thanks, kudos)
-introducing strategies to ensure that Atlanta is a safe city
-crime is on the minds of many atlantans
-wanted to address the issue as mayor
-this is the way the mayor should address it (as opposed to being chased down the street by press)
-crime stats? more violent? good questions…
-questions concerning have you “checked out?” considers the question an insult. “you obviously haven’t checked my schedule.”
-one too many victims, one too many crimes… any victim is too many
-not argue the questions but talk about the solutions
-we’re putting more officers on the street, targeting gangs, engaging community
-putting more resources on the street
-27 new officers in september… assigning to foot patrols
-39 new in december
-two new recruit classes in the fall
-139 more officers by the end of the year
-3 weeks ago the furloughs ended
-these are just the beginning of new ideas
-targeting gang related crime, esp youth gangs
-increasing gang task force from 6 to 24
-enforcement of curfew law (11pm)
-calling on community to help
-more APD sweeps in known gang areas
-sweep is officers to “hot spots” to check for criminal activity
-need help from community
-asking children to be at home after 11p
-asking parents to enforce this
-will enforce current curfew
-will ask businesses to be sure their location is secure, including cameras
-critical of businesses who don’t have cameras
-police do an admirable job
-community can use crimestoppers
-can use email “special enforcement section tips” at atlantaga.gov
-has confidence in the community & APD to make it better
-in june of this year the gang task force started
-made 32 arrests since then (recovered cash, vehicles)
-people have short memories but APD is effective
-kudos to APD
-kudos to YMCA, boy/girl clubs, churches, synagogues
-what have we accomplished?
-we’ve been ranked among the most violent cities in america
-we’ve been short on police
-we’ve increased the police force
-we’ve attracted new officers
-we’re very certain we can do that with JAG (stimulus) funding and new vacancies
-we’ve reduced violent crime
-we’ve added over 500 officers
-we’ve dropped from #3 to #15
-we’ve increased cases we investigate and solve
-we’ve instituted COBRA (??)
-we’ve posted crime stats online
-we’ve reassigned beats
-we’ve instituted walking beats
-we’re committed to a safe city
-the community is right to demand a safer city and money needs to be spend on public safety
-we will be successful as we partner with communities

Introducing Pennington

-when running people asked if i would hire my cronies… I said I’d hire the best in america
-set up a vetting committee to choose from
-did it for the attorney, the CFO, planning director, fire, etc
-did that for police chief
-was presented with 5 names
-chose Pennington because of all the people who were interviewed RP had the reputation and integrity and honesty. fought to restore New Orleans.
-only candidate to work every aspect of PD
-only candidate to reduce crime
-only candidate to take on corruption within the dept
-she is proud of his service
-but don’t get it twisted (my words)
-am i happy with where we are and be safe? no
-but am proud of his service

Richard Pennington

-there was concern as to “where i was” during the crime spree
-i was in Virginia at a conference
-APD are required to do these things; i was fulfilling my training responsibilities
-i wasn’t MIA
-in fact, when i left i delegated my responsibilities to my deputy
-the reports that I’m going to DEA are inaccurate
-I don’t broadcast where i’m at for my safety
-i’ve sat with my commanders over the past week or so
-I am happy officers are off of furlough
-kudos to APD
-trying times, moral was low, pay was limited… APD came through
-yes, one crime is one crime too many
-i have not checked out
-will continue to lead through end of year
-at the Virginia conference, most chiefs talked about the spread of gang activity in america
-teenage crime is going up dramatically
-it’s happening in ATL
-people are getting shot (um, hello)
-am happy that city council and the mayor have ended the furloughs
-there are new initiatives APD will put in place
-each zone has an action plan with emphasis on curfew violations
-increasing gang unit from 6 to 24
-will enable to gather intelligence and dismantle gangs
-more enforcement sweeps in each zone/high crime activities
-haven’t been able to do this because of furloughs
-stepped up regional enforcement detail (provides crime strategies)
-focus on quality of life issues and the perception of APD in crime areas
-car jackings are down 25% from last year
-unfortunate Mitchell was car jacked
-going to flood high crime areas
-young criminals don’t fear the APD
-have to get back to saturating areas to prevent crime

CBS

-how many days in the office as opposed to out of the office?
Pennington: maybe 6
-how often have you been out of town?
P: DC in january
-why do people feel like you’re not around?
P: don’t know. crime happens every day. even when i’m not here.

Fulton County Commissioner

-hears the mayors calls for addressing crime & kudos
-FC jail is the place where all the criminals end up
-single largest mental health facility in GA
-many inmates have mental issues; many are repeat offenders
-1 out of every 3 offenders will be reconvicted within 3 years
-the repeat offenders are doing property crimes and auto theft
-have to address the problem of recidivism
-cost us 200 million dollars a year
-have to address this
-have created a “reentry task force”
-working with all agencies responsible for criminal justice to stop the cycle of recidivism
-can not continue to tax residents to support mentally ill, homeless
-letting ATL know we’re not alone and we’re doing all we can to address the issue… to address it comprehensively

Sunday Paper

-did you know the terms of the stimulus funding when you cut 66 and get 50?
Franklin: reduced vacant positions and got more. nuff said.

Fox 5/Morris Diggs

-do you agree with Kasim Reed that the closure of rec centers is responsible for the spike in youth crime?
F: didn’t hear him say that but yes, it’s part of a healthy community. i am concerned we’ve had to close some but am proud of Dept of Parks for their summer programs. we need to use all our resources

How important is it that Chief Pennington is back and the “face” of this effort?

F: i don’t run to every fire or crime scene. 7 years ago people didn’t want to see politicians at crime scenes, they wanted to see the cops. now they want a “face.” he’s doing a good job.

you’ve heard the criticism and even city council has concerns re: Pennington. do you think he should step down?

F: i stand behind him and support him. not one councilmember has called me with concerns.

CBS

why did it take an outcry from the community and you not get out in front on the lead?
F: it’s not a “crisis” and we’ve been investing for many years. i decided on this conference on monday.

Dude #1
Do you think crime is being exaggerated?
F: no, the public is feeling insecurity for whatever reason and whatever the reason we’re addressing it

Dude #2
Community organizers working with police have said APD good but the Chief is MIA. What’s your response?
F: you can’t be everywhere all the time.

Mitchell has suggested we need to increase the Red Dog Unit?
F: no plans but thanks for the recommendation. praise for Mitchell
Over the past couple years auditors have looked at officers in the zones? Any plans for more cars on the street?
F: pushing as hard as we can to fill vacancies
Do you blame the current crime situation on the furloughs?
F: we’re looking forward, not back