Metro Atlanta Crime: What About When It's Not National Night Out?

Next week will bring another celebration of National Night Out, which is organized by the National Association of Town Watch and encourages communities to partner with local law enforcement to increase crime prevention awareness.

August 6 will mark the 30th anniversary of the event with more than 34 million people across the country expected to participate. It’s a great night as there will be block parties and events across the metro Atlanta area. Its intent is to raise crime and drug prevention awareness, bolster police-community relationships, and let criminals know that neighborhoods aren’t giving up without a fight.

But what about the next day when it’s back to business as usual for police officers and citizens in the community? Across the metro Atlanta, the headlines are filled with armed pedestrian crimes, smash-and-grabs, carjackings, scammers preying on the elderly, vehicle break-ins, and several recent high-profile murders including an East Atlanta man being shot and killed in a robbery while walking home with two friends. Is that going to change?

From Cascade to Sandy Springs to Buckhead to Decatur to Tucker to Midtown and all over, the criminals are running wild it seems. Officials like to reference the downward trends of crime stats, but toss out the traffic arrests and such and it’s a different story. Atlanta Police Department figures show that in the 12-month period that concluded in June, robberies were up 15 percent, burglaries 5 percent and vehicle theft 2 percent.

Some residents have complained about the police response they say they've received amidst recent burglaries, auto thefts and other crimes. Some have complained about the 911 system not working effectively and there not being enough visible police presence. 

Earlier this year, gun sales and permit requests surged across metro Atlanta due to fears of mass violence and stricter gun laws, according to several area gun shop owners and experts. 

The metro area has its share of serious issues but as Atlanta prepares to celebrate another National Night Out, where would you rank its crime problem and what in your opinion are the steps that need to be taken to help reduce it?