Flag-raising ceremony at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue Department raised the American flag together last week in a ceremony marking a major milestone at the new Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.

SEE FULL COVERAGE OF THE ATLANTA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER

American flag raised over ‘Cop City'

What they're saying:

The event was held to celebrate the opening of the controversial facility and signal a new era of joint training and collaboration between the city’s public safety agencies.

Officials called the ceremony a symbol of "our commitment to excellence, unity, and preparedness in public service."

The joint event also "symbolizes our readiness to elevate training and collaboration across Atlanta’s public safety teams," the departments said in a joint statement.

The new training center, backed by city leaders and law enforcement officials, has drawn national attention and months of protests. But police and fire department leaders say the facility is critical to improving emergency response and fostering coordination between agencies.

What is the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center?

The backstory:

The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, a $90 million facility aimed at modernizing training grounds for the city's police and fire departments, is set to open in the coming weeks. Approved by the Atlanta City Council in September 2021, the center has been a source of controversy and debate since its inception.

City officials have emphasized the need for the 85-acre campus, which is intended to replace outdated facilities and bolster efforts in recruiting and retaining public safety personnel. They have highlighted plans to incorporate progressive training methodologies and maintain surrounding green spaces.

However, the project has faced persistent opposition from critics who refer to it as "Cop City." Environmental concerns have been raised due to the construction site's location within a forested area in southeast Atlanta. Activists argue that the development could lead to significant ecological damage and adversely affect local communities.

Timeline:

The controversy surrounding the center intensified with several incidents. In December 2022, authorities arrested multiple protesters at the site, charging them with domestic terrorism. Officials alleged that these individuals were part of a coordinated effort to halt construction through unlawful means.

In January 2023, a confrontation between law enforcement and activists resulted in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old protester Manuel Esteban Paez Terán. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation stated that Terán fired upon officers first, a claim contested by fellow activists and Terán's family.

Further unrest occurred in March 2023 when a group of masked individuals allegedly attacked the construction site, setting equipment ablaze and confronting police officers. Subsequently, 23 people were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism.

Despite extensive public commentary and hours of testimony from residents, the Atlanta City Council approved an additional $31 million in funding for the project in June 2023. The majority of residents who testified opposed the facility's construction.

By December 2024, city officials provided media tours of the nearly completed facility, showcasing its state-of-the-art resources designed for comprehensive training of first responders. They reiterated the center's role in enhancing public safety and community relations.

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The Source: The Atlanta Police Department provided the details and video of the flag-raising ceremony. Previous FOX 5 Atlanta reports were also used.

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