Atlanta, GA
Neighbors march for safer sidewalks in southwest Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Dozens of neighbors marched through the streets of Southwest Atlanta on Thursday evening.
The group included seniors with wheelchairs and walkers, along with babies being pushed by their parents in strollers.
The residents hoped to highlight the lack of sidewalks within the Capitol View neighborhood.
The group’s patience reached a final straw this week as the Atlanta City Council approved $120 million in bond funding for a large-scale transportation project in order to make over downtown in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Zachary Adriaenssens organized Thursday’s march. He and other neighbors have been told by local leaders that there isn’t any funding available to fill the gaps in their existing sidewalks.
“The City of Atlanta needs to be responsive to its residents,” Adriaenssens said. “We cannot call ourselves a world-class city if we have seniors in wheelchairs walking in the street.”
According to GDOT data, nine pedestrians were killed in Atlanta City Council’s District 12 in 2023.
Back in 2019, KaeAnne Parris was hit by a car while riding her bike at the intersection of Dill Avenue and Allene Avenue.
“Someone hit me going west in their car,” she said. “I was flung into the middle of the road and had to go to the hospital via an ambulance.”
In the five years since that crash, the City of Atlanta has added a crosswalk and signs at that intersection.
As the sidewalks continue to crumble apart in Capitol View, Parris said these changes simply aren’t enough.
“I think people are still going to keep getting hit and killed,” she said. “It’s a really big problem.”
Hila Isseks was one of the neighbors marching up Allene Avenue towards the Beltline on Thursday.
Last October, her one-year-old son Lev, was hit by car while she was walking him in a stroller.
“I was horrified, I had to call an ambulance,” she said. “Thankfully, I swerved a bit and he survived.”
Atlanta News First reached out to the Atlanta Department of Transportation (ATLDOT) about these concerns for safety.
“With limited financial resources available for sidewalk repairs and new installations annually, ATLDOT uses a citywide inventory of existing and missing sidewalks combined with a Safety, Equity, and Mobility Model to prioritize sidewalk segments for funding,” an ATLDOT spokesperson said in a statement. “Priority is always given to areas lacking sidewalk connectivity, or in proximity to/overlapping with a variety of geographic and social factors.”
Copyright 2024 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Police increase presence across metro Atlanta amid teen takeover rumors
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Popular gathering spots across metro Atlanta saw heightened law enforcement presence Saturday night following rumors of potential “teen takeovers.”
Authorities say a similar event last weekend led to more than a dozen teenagers and adults being taken into custody. In response, agencies across the metro area are stepping up patrols in several high-traffic areas, including the Beltline and the Cumberland Mall and Battery districts.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 9 juveniles, 8 adults charged after weekend ‘takeover’ event at The Battery
Along the Atlanta Beltline, Atlanta police confirmed they increased staffing levels as a precaution. An APD officer on scene told Atlanta News First that officers are maintaining an enhanced presence due to the takeover rumors. An Atlanta News First crew observed multiple people put in handcuffs and an APD officer at the Beltline said four guns had been confiscated.
Multiple patrol units were visible along the Beltline, with officers monitoring foot traffic and briefly detaining several individuals. Police said the show of force is intended to deter large, disruptive gatherings before they begin.
Cumberland Mall to have teen curfew Saturday after ‘takeover’ at The Battery
In Cobb County, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts around Cumberland Mall and The Battery Atlanta. The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office deployed its mounted patrol unit, with four deputies on horseback circling the mall. Units from the Cobb County Police Department, Marietta Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol were also seen monitoring traffic and pedestrian activity in the area.
Electronic message boards and posted signage between Cumberland and The Battery warned visitors of the increased law enforcement presence. Officers said the goal is to prevent a repeat of last weekend’s arrests and ensure public safety.
For now, officials say the evening remains calm, but they are prepared to respond quickly if large crowds begin to form.
Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.
Atlanta, GA
Shooting causes lockdown at Mall of Stonecrest
STONECREST, Ga. – The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred at the Mall of Stonecrest on Saturday afternoon.
What we know:
The department was alerted to the shooting around 12:40 p.m. Officers responded to the mall and immediately began a search of the premises. In an early update, police stated the mall was on lockdown and that no victim had been found.
A few hours later, police confirmed a victim had been located and several people were detained after running away from the mall. The injured person was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.
The mall remained on lockdown as of 3:45 p.m. as officers continued clearing the building. Police said the process could take several hours and requested that the public continue to avoid the area.
DeKalb police stated there is no further danger to the public.
What we don’t know:
At this time, it is unclear what led to the shooting or if any of the detained individuals have been charged.
The Source: Information in this article came from the DeKalb County Police Department via an email.
Atlanta, GA
The Pulse: Are pajamas really banned at the airport?
The show highlights a tongue-in-cheek social media “ban” on pajamas and Crocs at Tampa International Airport that sparked national debate over travel etiquette. The crew also covers the Atlanta Hawks’ bold “Magic City Monday” promotion featuring famous lemon pepper wings and halftime performances by T.I.. Additionally, the segment dives into Gen Z’s “loud breakup” trend on TikTok and ends with a nostalgic defense of the Burger King Whopper.
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