Atlanta is making progress in its fight against crime, and Mayor Andre Dickens couldn’t be happier. According to him, the city is steadily working towards becoming the safest large city in America. The latest numbers show that crime is down across the city, with the biggest improvements seen in Zone 3, an area in southeast Atlanta that includes neighborhoods like Capital View, Mechanicsville, and Summer Hill.
Mayor Dickens, beaming with pride, shared the news about declining crime rates. “Crime is down in Atlanta, especially homicides, which have dropped again this year,” he said. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum provided more details, pointing out some impressive stats. Vehicle thefts, a major issue in the city, dropped by 29% compared to the previous year. Robberies are also down by 15%, and shootings have decreased by 7%.
The most significant achievement, according to Chief Schierbaum, is the 8% drop in homicides. He highlighted other wins, such as removing over 3,000 guns from the streets and shutting down drug operations. “Every five days, the Atlanta Police Department takes down a drug-dealing operation in the city,” he said.
It’s not just about the numbers; the improvements are saving lives. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis emphasized the human side of these stats. “Last year, 44 fewer people lost their lives compared to the year before. That means 44 families didn’t have to bury a loved one. We must remember the real impact behind these numbers,” she said.
Even 911 response times saw a dramatic improvement. In 2024, response times were cut down to just 12.5 seconds, which means help is reaching people faster than ever. And the good news doesn’t stop there. The Atlanta Fire Department is also stepping up. People experiencing violence can now find safety at any fire station in the city, which are being used as safe havens for those in need.
This progress is thanks to the teamwork between the Atlanta Police Department, the District Attorney’s office, and community organizations. Together, they’re working to make Atlanta a safer place for everyone. While there’s still work to be done, the city’s leaders and residents have plenty to celebrate.
