Atlanta Police chief responds to open letter addressing Buckhead crime

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A pointed message from Atlanta’s top cop.

The warning is directed to former city council member and mayoral candidate Mary Norwood.

Chief Erika Shields is referring to an open letter penned by Norwood, who is the current chair of the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods.

The letter, dated two days ago, calls on Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms to address what Norwood calls “an obvious increase in crime" in Buckhead.

The letter also criticizes the police department questioning the accuracy of its published crime statistics.

Wednesday afternoon, Chief Shields responded to Norwood and the open letter.

Chief Shields says she stands by the department's crime statistics and the hard work and dedication of Atlanta’s police force.

So far, the mayor's office has not issued a public response to the letter or Norwood’s concerns.