Atlanta crime rates drop: What the mayor, police chief says worked

ATLANTA - Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, with Atlanta Police Chief Darren Schierbaum, took a victory lap in a year-long effort to reduce violent crime in the city.

FOX 5’s Rob DiRienzo first reported the significant crime reduction on New Year’s Day. The data showed violent crime was down 18 percent. Homicides were down 22 percent compared to 2022. Rapes plummeted 49 percent. Aggravated assaults were down 16 percent.

It’s the first time the murder rate has fallen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Overall crime is down by 15% across the city, with Atlanta taking the third spot for the city with the biggest crime drop in 2023.

The mayor says he has made public safety a top priority during his second year as Atlanta’s top executive officer. 

"We ended the year with citywide major crimes against people put down more than 15%, and that includes homicides more than 20%," Mayor Andre Dickens told members of the media and those in attendance at Salem Bible Church on Thursday.

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Chief Schierbaum took the time to thank his staff who sometimes had to work more than 12 hours a shift. He also credited the mayor and Atlanta City Council for creating incentives, such as raises and new police vehicles to help with the retention of the city’s sworn officers.

"Shooting incidents are down 18%, the number of people shot down 23%, by making sure we are moving guns from our streets. Going after the gang members and drug dealers who are pulling those guns. Those reductions are in robbery, burglary and car break-ins," the chief explained.

The mayor and chief called the gains a "group effort" and said it would not have been done without invaluable community partners who change lives by changing directions.

One such community partner is Raising Expectations Inc., which touts itself as an organization which empowers youth in crises by elevating academic, social and civic expectations to facilitate high school graduation and post-secondary plans.

"Over the past 28 years, Raising Expectations has focused on improving life possibilities for youth who are at-risk, and we are grateful to play a role in changing lives and outcomes and the development of this city," said Faith Porter, the director of programs at Raising Expectations, Inc. 

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Another organization aimed to help young men turn into successful adults says they are glad to be part of the fight to end violent crimes.

"We put in place a safe space for young men to get life skills, social skills, conflict resolution, anger management and job readiness," said Gary Davis, founder of Next Level Empowerment Center. 

The chief mentioned that his police force still faces a challenge in battling car theft, despite car break-ins also decreasing.