Atlanta Police Leaders Call Buckhead Cityhood Critique 'Baseless'

ATLANTA — A war of words has begun between the Buckhead group wanting to exit Atlanta over the recent spike in violent crime and the City’s police department.

After Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms on Tuesday made public statements addressing the citywide mask mandate, the stabbing death of Katherine Janness in Piedmont park and an overall rise in what she called “COVID crimes,” Buckhead City Committee CEO Bill White blasted Bottoms and the Atlanta Police in an email and social media letter that promised “tough-on-crime, pro-police policy” from a new department.
“The people of Buckhead consider the quality of city-provided police protection entirely inadequate and reiterate our demand for self-determination as a distinct, incorporated municipality,” White wrote.

Late Wednesday evening, Atlanta Police leadership responded, releasing an unprecedented public letter directed to the Buckhead faction.

“APD officers are the backbone of this department and largely responsible for the day-to-day response to 911 calls and patrol duties,” the letter, posted on the department website, read. “While the community is relaxing in the comfort of their homes, our officers are out helping people in crisis and tracking down lawbreakers. To insinuate that we’re looking the other way when it comes to crime is a far-fetched notion.”
Much of the letter offered expository about APD policies designed to address and prevent crime including:

• The Department’s APEX unit, designed to deal with the most violent offenders
• Pre-Arrest Diversion program that helps people struggling with substance abuse, mental health concerns, and extreme poverty
• Department youth and family wraparound services like the Police Athletic League and the At-Promise Centers

The letter also addressed criticism about shoplifting — “APD has never stopped responding to shoplifting calls” — and claims that the department should strengthen its pursuit policy, which limits officers to chasing only violent criminals.
“We do not feel it is in the public’s best interest to chase individuals who have not been involved in a forcible felony and we continue to stand by that decision,” the letter read.
APD leaders lauded the 150 sworn officers assigned to specialized units who they say are responsible for more than 700 felony arrests and the confiscation or recovery of more than 120 weapons this year.
“Regardless of where their enforcement activity occurs, it has an impact on crime throughout the entire city, Buckhead included,” the letter continues, before eventually closing. “The APD remains committed to improving the quality of life within each of our communities and we are hopeful our efforts will not be diminished by baseless criticism, politically motivated commentary and a litany of misinformation.”

See also: Atlanta Mayor Asks For Public's Help, Earns Buckhead Email Jeers