Atlanta Mayor Points At Gov. Kemp Amid Recent Crime Surge

ATLANTA — Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has cited a decision by Gov. Brian Kemp to keep Georgia open during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as a reason for recent outbreaks of crime, including a pair of deadly nightclub shootings and increased issues with street racing.

Three people, including rapper King Von, have been shot and killed in shootings outside of Atlanta nightclubs since Nov. 6. In the incident involving the Chicago rapper, he – along with another Chicago man – were shot and killed outside of the Monaco Hookah Lounge on Trinity Avenue when an argument began between two groups of men, police said.

According to reports, King Von was hosting an album release party at the nightclub when the altercation took place. In a separate incident outside of Up Lounge in Midtown on Nov. 15, a 25-year-old Douglasville man was shot and killed and a security guard was seriously injured after a fight broke out inside the club and the shooting took place outside of the venue, police said.

On Wednesday, Bottoms said that the shootings along with a rash of recent street racing arrests have taken place in the city because Georgia remains open for business despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the mayor said in a news conference.

“We are seeing a number of people traveling from out of state to come to Atlanta to go to nightclubs and bars, because we are open as if we’re not in the midst of a pandemic,” Bottoms said. “When the nightclubs are closed in Chicago, people are coming to Atlanta to party.”

Asked what the solution to the issue is and Bottoms pointed the finger at Kemp.

“Not a lot that we can do about that locally obviously because the Governor has made the decision to keep the state open,” Bottoms said.

In addition to the nightclub shootings, Bottoms said that street racing within the city’s limits has become an issue. Since January, police have issued 560 violations for the offense, Bottoms said, adding that last weekend, officers made 14 arrests, issued 173 violations and impounded seven vehicles for street racing.

The mayor said she intends to increase police patrols and other specialized law enforcement units to cut down on street racing and will also make penalties more serious for those either cited or arrested for racing.