Atlanta, Fulton County, United Way Create Citizen Gang Coordinator

ATLANTA, GA -- The city of Atlanta, Fulton County Government and Atlanta’s United Way have joined forces to create a Citizen Gang Prevention Office.

The creation of the office is in direct response to growing gang violence in Fulton County.

The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office reports that in the last 10 years, defendants charged with gang-related offenses increased by 2,225 percent.

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The Gang Coordinator’s Office will work directly with the community residents, school systems, businesses and religious groups to reduce youth gang participation.

More than 10 other jurisdictions with similar gang issues have already established gang coordinators as is planned for this office.

“The police and prosecutors cannot solve the gang problem by themselves," said Commissioner Marvin Arrington, Jr., who will introduce the legislation. "As a Community, we must all join together to reduce and eliminate this harmful activity."