Council members, council hopefuls join hundreds of citizens for important meeting
More than 200 people packed the sanctuary of Ben Hill United Methodist Church in Southwest Atlanta to hear directly from the top leadership of the Atlanta Police Department. From the Chief to deputy chiefs to majors, men and women of the APD met with residents in the first town hall setting since the Coronavirus pandemic.
Citizens raised a wide range of questions—from how police should approach drivers who are deaf or disabled during traffic stops, to how long does it take to remove abandoned vehicles that have been sitting on neighborhood streets. APD Chief Darin Schierbaum, along with his top brass, answered questions for more than an hour, seated at a long narrow table near the church pulpit. They stressed the department’s commitment to community engagement and accountability.
On hand for the event was Atlanta City Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet, who represents District 11 and is currently running for President of the Atlanta City Council. Also attending was local businessman and minister Wayne Martin, a candidate seeking to succeed Overstreet in the District 11 seat.
A major concern raised at the town hall was staffing levels within the Atlanta Police Department. Chief Schierbaum acknowledged that the force remains below the level he would like in order to fully cover the city. He cited the creation of new suburban police departments around Atlanta in recent years as a reason for the drain on APD personnel, along with competition from other jurisdictions offering higher pay. The Chief emphasized that raising officer salaries will be a key part of retaining and rebuilding Atlanta’s police force.
“This town hall is an example of what makes our communities strong,” said Councilmember Marci Collier Overstreet. “When residents can speak directly to our police leadership and get honest, face-to-face answers, we build trust. As we move forward, I will continue to make sure public safety remains a top priority for every family in Atlanta.”
Community leaders also voiced their perspectives. Debora Gowns, president of the Princeton Lakes Homeowners Subdivision, said the meeting was a meaningful step toward partnership between the public and law enforcement.
“I’m very happy with what I saw here at this meeting tonight. So many people came out to address issues, which is important for our police officers to hear directly from the people. Our HOA, like I’m sure many others, is concerned about staying safe and keeping the neighborhood safe. So, we welcome events like this to engage with our police officers one-on-one,” Gowns said.
“We need to ensure that officers are more integrated into the community,” said Martin “I think it’s very important that they know neighbors, know members of the community, and not just responding to calls in the community, but are there and present in non-emergency situations. Safety is top of mind for most people, here and across Atlanta,” Martin said. “People want to know that their neighborhood is already safe, or plans are in place to make it safer,” he said.
The Zone 4 Town Hall was widely regarded as a success, both for the number of residents who attended and for the frank discussion between citizens and law enforcement. It marked an important moment of reconnection between APD and the communities it serves in Southwest Atlanta.
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