Atlanta, GA
Trump says Atlanta is like a ‘killing field.’ Data shows violent crime is dropping
New preliminary data shows violent crime is declining in Atlanta even as former President Donald Trump claims it is out of control.
At a rally earlier this month, Trump criticized city officials for their response to crime.
“Under these kinds of woke, radical left policies, Atlanta is like a killing field,” Trump said.
The Major Cities Chiefs Association recently found that the city did report slightly more homicides and rapes in the first six months of 2024, compared to the same time frame last year.
Atlanta Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said at Monday’s public safety committee meeting that the increase was due to “escalated disputes” and “domestic violence.”
However, according to the association’s data, robbery reports dropped by nearly 17%, and aggravated assault reports fell by 13%.
It’s difficult to know exactly what’s causing the overall decline in violent crime, including a 17% decrease in homicides nationwide, but the U.S. Department of Justice said it may be partially due to the agency’s work with state and local law enforcement to hire more police officers, disrupt violent drug trafficking, arrest violent felons and seize and trace guns used in crimes.
“This updated data comes in the wake of last year’s historic drop in homicides nationwide and one of the lowest levels of violent crime in 50 years,” it stated. “Three and a half years ago, the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to combat violent crime rooted in investing in our partnerships with other federal law enforcement agencies, with state and local law enforcement who risk their lives to keep their communities safe every day, and with the communities we all serve.”
In Atlanta, city officials hope a new public safety training center, dubbed “Cop City” by opponents, will further support these efforts, including helping to recruit and retain more officers.
But, demonstrations against the 85-acre, $90-million project have been occurring for about three years now, with some environmentalists and abolitionists saying they are concerned that it will further militarize police and disproportionately impact the low-income, majority Black and Hispanic neighborhoods surrounding the site.
A federal appeals court in Atlanta heard arguments on whether the public can put the future of the training center on a ballot in December, but it has yet to issue a ruling.
In the meantime, construction is ongoing, and the training center is slated to open later this year.
Atlanta, GA
4 injured after Delta Air Lines flight aborted during takeoff in Atlanta
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Atlanta, GA
4 passengers injured as hundreds evacuate Delta flight by emergency slide in Atlanta
Hundreds of passengers were forced to evacuate a Delta airlines flight by emergency slides in snowy conditions Friday after an aborted takeoff in Atlanta — leading to at least four injuries and one hospitalization, authorities said.
Roughly 200 people hurriedly deplaned Minneapolis-bound flight 2668 on the tarmac at Atlanta International Airport at 9:10 a.m. due to an engine problem, airline officials said.
Footage posted on social media shows frazzled travelers, including children, running with their luggage from a Boeing 757-300 plane in several inches of snow, according to atlantanewsfirst.com.
Four passengers reported minor injuries and one was taken to the hospital, while the others were treated at the scene, the airport said.
Details about the engine problems were not immediately clear.
Delta apologized to passengers for the nerve-wracking experience.
“Delta’s flight crew followed established procedures to suspend the takeoff of flight…after an indication of an engine issue,” Delta said in a statement.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of our people and customers, and we apologize to our customers for their experience.”
Atlanta, GA
Houston faces Atlanta on 3-game win streak
Houston Rockets (25-12, second in the Western Conference) vs. Atlanta Hawks (19-19, ninth in the Eastern Conference)
Atlanta; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: Houston seeks to continue its three-game win streak with a victory over Atlanta.
The Hawks have gone 10-7 at home. Atlanta ranks third in the Eastern Conference with 17.5 fast break points per game led by Jalen Johnson averaging 3.6.
The Rockets have gone 12-6 away from home. Houston averages 113.1 points and has outscored opponents by 6.0 points per game.
The Hawks’ 13.1 made 3-pointers per game this season are just 0.7 more made shots on average than the 12.4 per game the Rockets give up. The Hawks average 113.1 points per game, 6.7 fewer points than the 119.8 the Hawks give up to opponents.
TOP PERFORMERS: Johnson is averaging 19.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals for the Hawks.
Alperen Sengun is averaging 19.3 points, 10.5 rebounds and five assists for the Rockets.
LAST 10 GAMES: Hawks: 5-5, averaging 119.2 points, 41.2 rebounds, 30.5 assists, 11.2 steals and 5.3 blocks per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 121.5 points per game.
Rockets: 7-3, averaging 113.7 points, 48.0 rebounds, 19.9 assists, 8.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.9 points.
INJURIES: Hawks: Kobe Bufkin: out for season (shoulder), Larry Nance Jr.: out (hand), Jalen Johnson: day to day (shoulder), Cody Zeller: day to day (personal).
Rockets: Tari Eason: day to day (injury management), Jabari Smith Jr.: out (hand).
——
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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