Final FBI Numbers are in. Crime is down in Atlanta.
Winslow, Cleta
FYI. Please see email below.
Cleta Winslow
Councilmember, District 4
404-330-6047 (office)
404-216-1701 (cell)
404-331-8929 (fax)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2016
Elizabeth Espy
Director
Chata Spikes
Deputy Director
Atlanta Police Department Public Affairs
226 Peachtree Street SW Atlanta, Georgia 30303
News Release
Crime Is Down in Atlanta
79 Homicide Cases Cleared in 2015
ATLANTA – – The final FBI Uniform Crime Reporting numbers have recently been approved and Atlanta’s crime rate for 2015 is down by 3 percent and 24 percent since Chief George N. Turner took the helm. The Atlanta Police Department touted many crime fighting successes in 2015 and they expect to exceed their goals for 2016.
In 2015, the Atlanta Homicide Unit worked 94 homicides. Detectives cleared 79 homicides; including cold cases. The Atlanta Police Department’s case clear-up rate is 84 percent, well above the national average of 57 percent. The high clearance rate is credited to good old-fashioned police work and the Department’s commitment to working overtime to solve crimes.
An example of APD’s crime fighting efforts is evident in the quick arrest of Johnny Maurice Avery, a suspect in the July 27, 2015 shooting death of Mildred Martin at 975 Proctor Street, N.W. Detectives worked long hours and were able to arrest Avery within three days of the crime. A second suspect, Dominique Lamonta Bryant, was taken into custody a week later.
“We credit the high clearance rate to the fact that we’re committed to our mission and we work as a team to fight and solve crime,” said Chief George Turner. “We must continue to work with our citizens, community partners, and business leaders to make sure crime rates continue to decrease in our city.”
While we have made strides in clearing homicide cases, unfortunately, the number of sexual assaults has increased. In 2015, we investigated 170 rapes compared to 151 in 2014. We attribute the increase to more victims coming forward to report these heinous crimes and greater awareness of what constitutes an assault.
“Many rape victims are afraid to report the crime; however, the APD Special Victims Unit is committed to supporting victims and bringing violators to justice,” said Chief Turner.
Other notable accomplishments:
- The Narcotics Unit served 296 warrants and made 326 arrests. The unit seized 162 firearms and $659,927 cash.
- The Special Victims Unit initiated a “High Risk” identification system to prevent juveniles from becoming victims of human trafficking. An online tracking system identifies both child victims of human trafficking and their exploiters. The unit achieved a clear-up rate of 15% above the national average for rapes.
- Investigator Ronald Sluss named Law Enforcement Officer of the year by D.A. Paul Howard for solving the “dating site rapist” case with Devin Hartman, now serving 2 consecutive life terms.
- The Targeted Enforcement Unit (Gangs) arrested more than 60 confirmed Blood gang members in 2015. The unit arrested seven members of the Trey Blood gang for Craigslist robberies.
- The Airport Drug Interdiction Unit seized $1,634,817 currency and 41.96 lbs. of cocaine, 14.11 lbs. of heroin, 297.5 lbs. of marijuana, 635 lbs. of synthetic marijuana, etc.
- The Code Enforcement Unit partnered with the National Guard to demolish 15 houses, saving the city over $180,000. Sixteen (16) Judicial In Rem properties were sent through Municipal Court.
- The department recognized the need for multi-cultural liaisons and identified employees that can engage the community in more than 10 different languages.
- The Video Integration Center (VIC) expanded operations to all six zones and added more than 2500 cameras for a total 5903.
· The grand opening of the state-of-the-art crime lab was held in May 2015.
- The Police Athletic League (PAL) held a record setting Guns N’ Hoses Annual Fundraiser which netted $68,637 and continues to grow due to greater attendance, publicity, and PAL’s new ambassador, board member, and five-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Evander Holyfield.
· APEX K-9 Handler Officer Richard Sperl and K9 Arna won the annual United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) southeast Top Dog award for 2015. APD’s K9 Unit has won the narcotics detection award for the past ten consecutive years.
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