Talk of the Town

By Mister Earl

July 5, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Fortunately, despite the lack of adequate park police OR any official announcement to the gathering, there was an orderly exit from centennial park. If there had been ANY type of panic when the thunderstorms hit suddenly, the situation could have easiliy turned tragic for the elderly and infants in the crowd.

Once again, Atlanta officials proved to be unprepared for a mild emergency as police were non-existant in the surrounding streets at starategic intersections.

A miserable job by those in charge of the celebration.

Why were the exits to the park locked? Why were people forced to scale park fences or squeeze through barriers to get out?

By red

July 5, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

I was downtown last night… and I still had a great time meeting new friends.

By Rock

July 5, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

We were at Turner Field when God let nature loose. It was miserable!!!

By R. Potter

July 5, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

My boyfriend and I decided to go to Centennial Park to watch the fireworks and of course like everyone else was disappointed by the down pour of rain. We ran for cover to the Omni hotel and decided to wait there because we heard Marta was shut down. We had decided to park and ride Marta to the park. After about a 30 minute wait we headed to Marta to take the west bound train back to our vehicles, parked at the H E Holmes station. We we very disturbed at the amount of time the westbound train was delayed. We saw two or three eastbound trains pass before the eastbound train finally showed up.

By B

July 5, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this

I was at Centennial last night, we came prepared for rain, and watched the poor planning of this minor emergency unfold. I saw maybe two or three officals running around in ponchos when it first started raining hard. They were going around telling the few people that remained in the park that a Tornado Warning was in effect (just to add to the mayhem I guess) There were only two, maybe three entrances/exits open so it took me and my group 25 mins to even make it through the exit of the park.
As I looked around at the others with their coolers and babies crying and people falling into each other, I shuddered to think what would happen in a real emergency.
My party and I made the most of it in our dry warm parking garage, when we fianlly got there and actually had fun. But I must say a very poor job of planning by whoever was in charge of this event.
Hell, open more than two exits for God’s Sake!! I saw two fights break out just there, myself….and where were the police? I saw one sitting in his warm dry car with his lights on at an intersection. Good job.

By b

July 5, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

Terrible, way to go Atlanta city planning. We got off lucky that more mayhem didn’t ensue.

By Jason

July 5, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this

Mister Earl:

Centennial Olympic Park is a state controlled park not a city park. I realize it’s cool to hate Atlanta but if you’re going to do it, at least do it in an informed way. If you want to complain about the lack of park police or locked gates, talk to the Georgia World Congress Center (a state agency), not the city.

By susan

July 5, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

Luckily, I live close to the park and was able to watch the river running down International from my patio. Looking forward to another attempt tonight.

By Nate

July 5, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

I was at the top of Atlantic Station where there were no fireworks, but watching the storm roll in was enough excitment for me. Why were all the traffic lights on 17th street turned off?

By Liana Freires

July 5, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

I’t was the first time that me and my husband, daughter and friends were together to see fireworks in Atlanta and it was a disaster. Not because of the rain but because of the lack of organization and non-existing police officers on duty.

The Marta station was caotics and there’s no security. The kids went to panic and people had no option to go home.

I woud call last night a independence disaster!!!

By SARSG

July 5, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

Get over it! It was all in the name of fun for the kids and they sure had a blast. They truly enjoyed being there. No one could predict the sudden rain storms. Perhaps the reason for locking the other gates were to monitor who was coming in and going out of the park. But, I do agree maybe Police monitoring at those locked gated entrance would have helped when the rains came down, maybe a bullhorn directing visitors out of the park. We all know “Traffic and Atlanta” goes together add “July 4th, and thundershowers” to the equation = hectic gridlock.

Will be back tonight!

By Kathy

July 5, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

My children, ages 13 and 10, and I weathered the rather treacherous walk in the storm from the park to the Peachtree Center MARTA station, where a uniformed APD officer was tending the gate we approached. My husband had dropped us off near the park and we were returning home via MARTA. Proactively, I had purchased Breeze cards for my kids at Chamblee an hour before we left home (I used my transcard); however, by the time we reached the gate, both cards were soaked and only one would work. You would have thought I was a common criminal trying to evade MARTA fares, to hear this officer start to interrogate me about how I got downtown if I had purchased only return fares, one of which did not work. Finally, she conceded to, “Well, this time…” and she let us through without forcing me to purchase another Breeze card.

Note to self - buy an inexpensive case for any future Breeze cards, as they may not work when soaking wet.

2nd note to self - Avoid APD officers at MARTA when possible, or look for a male, at least. They are usually more reasonable.

By Drenched

July 5, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

My boyfriend and I were downtown last night for the fireworks. We had a good time at the park up until it started raining. It was rained so hard that we both had to keep wiping our glasses as we made our way to the car. Needless to say I wished I had rented a hotel room for this event at least I would have been dry.

By Red

July 5, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

They say they cut the club times due to lack of police officials, I guess they are going to say that we can’t have the firework show at Centennial Olympic Park anymore either! There were no police, I saw people shoving kids out of the way trying to get under a tree or rush to the CNN Center or surrounding buildings!

Luckily we had more civilize people involved and things went as smooth as they could be despite the situation.

By TG

July 5, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

I was at Centennial Park last night with my husband and another couple. It was horrible! Teenagers were fighting at the park. It started storming so of coarse everyone ran into the CNN center. Teenagers started fighting in there and outside Philips Arena. There were so many fights. There were families with small children there. Strollers were getting trampled on. Children were getting lost because of the crowds. After 10 minutes of this, we decided to make a run for the Marta train station and get out of there; even if it meant walking in the storm. Well, that plan was cancelled due to the fact that the teenagers had made their way to the train station and had bomb rushed the train fighting. Marta officials had closed the escalators that lead down to the station and we heard the trains were not running. There was a crowd of people standing at the top of the escalators confused and not sure how they were going to get home. We were all standing around in ankle deep water puddles. I felt scared, confused, and upset all at the same time. I was so upset because all of these teenagers were there unsupervised. I did not see any parents with these teenagers. We started walking towards the parking decks to get away from the crowds. As we were walking we would see a new fight break out every 5 or so minutes. I witnessed one young man get stomped on and beat so badly that I’m sure he had to visit a hospital. And the surprising thing to this was that it was not only young men but girls also- they participated in the fights as much as the men did. We eventually called a relative to come pick us up. What we experienced last night was horrible. We went to Centennial Park to have a good time and to watch fireworks. But as I’ve heard this morning from talking to co-workers and friends- we should have known better.

By Bob

July 5, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

The reasons the park gates were locked was due to complete incompetence and lack of preparedness by the event organizers. They had no contingency plans in place to cover the possibility of a thunderstorms. Security had a “I’m just doing what I was told” attitude with no mental capacity to comprehend or adapt to an evolving situation. Fortunately, the crowd was able to deal with the situation on its own.

By Auna's mom

July 5, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

My daughter and I were at Evander Holyfield’s annual fireworks display. It was wonderful. No need to drive all the way downtown, or to Lenox, when there were firewroks in my own backyard. I didn’t see one police car, even though traffic was jam packed. People parked at the Ingles’ lot and in front of Evander’s property, as they always do. There was a huge crowd this year, and I haven’t heard any news reports of “drama”. My daughter got some great pictures and all is well. Hmmmm, intersting huh?

By RWH

July 5, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

4th of July celebrations brings countless of thousands of people out to various events..the fire works being its most attraction. Fire works in Centennial Park should have been planned with the vast amount of people coming, even after the parade was over; that should have told the law enforcement something! Crowd control; traffic control, right down to those walking to the event; that should have raise attention and perhaps long before that, much could have been done. Holidays often brings out the worse in celebration; if planned well, the event will go off rather smooth, however, its the after effect taht affect people so badly. Rain often comes on the 4th, no different since I have lived here since 1998. It the careful planning that a city takes to actual minimumize such things that give a city a bad name; and cause it citizens to act the way they do.

By Jamie

July 5, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

My husband and I enjoyed the parade downtown and were anxiously awaiting the fireworks at Centennial when a fight broke out near where we were sitting in the middle of the park. We jumped out of the way, but shortly after, the rain came. We were soaked when we got into the CNN center. That’s when we saw the large crowd of screaming teens moving quickly through lobby. I was surprised by the large amount of people running towards the fight as we were trying to get away from the chaos. That’s when the police told us we had to exit the building. We found a place on the second floor to sit and dry off. I’ll go again next year, but I’ll bring my umbrella and galoshes!

By Brian

July 5, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

After last year’s terrifying and violent (and underreported) end to the 4th of July celebration downtown (packs of youths running wild, attacking cars at traffic lights), you can bet we weren’t going to expose ourselves to that kind of risk this year. Looks like we did the smart thing. Quick show of hands: who expected any better out of City of Atlanta?

By TB

July 5, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

Yes, i was down there with my 2 yr old and a friend with her 2 yr old as well! Thankfully we left right as the rain started; however, we had the hardest time trying to find an elevator to take instead of hauling our strollers down the CNN Center steps to get to MARTA…I am pregnant and couldn’t have carried it down myself! In the short time frame of trying to find the elevator the rain came down in droves! Thank God I was able to find a very kind gentleman who not only carried my stroller down all of those steps, but once the rain came pouring down he used his body to shield my baby from the rain!!! Despite the dismal conditions, my faith has been restored that there are still great people in the world!! Thanks to that gentleman who helped us…God Bless You!!!

By Sal

July 5, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

My daughter and I attended the 4th of July events that were held in East Point. It was wonderful. The rain did come, but it did not stop the fireworks. To see fireworks through the eyes of a soak and wet 8 year old was beautiful. We will be attending agian next year. Good job East Point.

By Barbara

July 5, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

my family rented a room at the Embassy Suites to attend the fireworks at the park at a cost of over $200. we headed over to the park around 7 pm and there was already virtually no place to “set up” as the park was full. i agree with the lack of security presence and limited exits.there we six of us, including a three year old with blankets,chairs and a cooler and we had to climb over a fence to make our way back to the hotel when the storm began. i dropped $80 out of my pocket while scurrying to pick up things and the gentleamn next to me pretended it was his. if he reads this i hope you had a great 4th and beware of karma!

By Too cool for school

July 5, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

Shame on the City of Atlanta! How could they not overthrow the government of the State of Georgia in order to gain control of Centennial Olympic Park. That terrible city, how dare allow state officials to organize a fireworks show at a state owned park. We need a proactive mayor who will ignore all laws of ownership and jurisdiction. Heck, I blame the City of Atlanta for not inventing a magical weather machine to keep the storm from happening.

If you’re mad about how things were handled, call the GEORGIA WORLD CONGRESS CENTER, an agency of the STATE OF GEORGIA. The management of Centennial Olympic Park is not required to ask the city for permission for anything they do in the park. The city has no control… ZERO!

What’s next, blaiming Atlanta for boating accidents on Lake Lanier?

By Susan

July 5, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

My husband and I took our two small children down to COP for what we thought would be a fun filled family night, instead of fire works my two and five year olds saw fist fights, people screaming at each other and more cursing than they have ever heard in their lives. I had to hide their eyes when we walked past a young man being STOMPED and kicked…. I will NEVER go back, it was terrifying. I only saw one police office and he was sitting in his car. It makes me ill to think that my kids will never have a Fourth Of July in Atlanta like I had as a child, it is just too unsafe now.

By Gary B.

July 5, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

I was sitting at the park enjoying the event, but watching the sky as a very dark cloud rolled in. I felt a few rain drops, and then the band stopped playing and announced ” A severe storm is headed this way, people should seek shelter in the CNN center, etc”…and about 10 seconds after they made that announcement all hell broke loose. It started pouring down , and then the lightning started…and it was the lightning that really scared me. People started to gather their belongings up and children as fast as they could and then ran for cover. Luckily I was not too far from the entrance to the park, so I was able to get out of the park pretty fast and then made my way over to the GA Aquarium and stood under the awning there that covers where you wait on line. It would have been nice to see more cops and security around assisting and directing people…but I did not see many, or maybe I was just too focused on getting away from the park and seeking shelter. To find out that some of the entrances/exits were still locked when people were trying to evacuate the park is a very serious screw up by the park management. It seems as if they still don’t have a good emergency plan still for handling these types of situatuions, or at least the execution of the plan of they have one was not handled right. Let’s hope the Park management learns from this mess last night and has a better emergency plan.

By Philip

July 5, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

My wife and I went there, and have to say it was a mixed-bag. The familes and little kids were great, nice folks, mixed crowd, very pleasant. But I am with you on the teenagers fighting. Has it just been accepted that thuggery is a norm for young men these days? And, is it really that hard for the APD to have police there telling these young men to go away? Really. Or, is it that absent gunshots, the police would rather look the other way. I showed downtown to my wife once, we’ll go other places from now on.

By Diogenes Jones

July 5, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

Yes, I was downtown last night, and yes, I saw all the behaviors (mainly constant fighting amongst the unsupervised droopy-pantsed gangbanger wannabes), and “don’t care” response from the APB, that simply reinforce the decision by most suburbanites to NEVER venture downtown after dark. I learned my lesson yet again (have to be reminded every so often, I guess), and won’t be back. Really a shame, as these events could be great family activities … but apparently not in Atlanta.

By Cesar

July 5, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this

This was the first time I went to Centennial Park, in the past years I’ve been to Lennox instead. And most probably this will be the last time I go to Centennial. Even before it started raining, there was too much chaos with people fighting and being stupid. When it started raining it made it worst. I don’t understand why they kept the gates locked and why there was barely any police there. As we tried to make it to the CNN/GA Dome Marta Station, the chaos got even worst with people fighting and people running in all directions to get away from the fights, and even though the police got there, the fights kept going on. All this time all I kept thinking was that the rain was something we couldn’t control, but the fights… that’s a different story and it showed how stupid some people can be without thinking of the kids and the elder.

By atltoday

July 5, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

I was there last night and do not remember all these fights. I did see a few. Unfortunately, a few bad apples spoil the whole bunch. What I think about the whole thing? the fireworks officials aren’t necessarily the ones in charge fo the park. We (citizens) should have been more prepared for the weather. I saw the marta station closed and tried to figure out how to get to the next one. One couldn’t they just allow so many people at a time down the escalator. they’re officers. people must get home. i just don’t understand. transportation was worst than the fights if you ask me. kids will be kids but the adults have to stand up and supervise their kids and then there must be a strong police presence in every situation like this.

By Tom

July 5, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

Well, when you consider the sort of people who come to Centennial, it is no wonder. Go to Buckhead. Unless you don’t belong there then go to The Varsity and watch them from the parking deck.

By Sherry

July 5, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

We were at Lenox. We were having a blast when the weather unfolded. 94.9 and CBS46 did announce that the fireworks were still on and that due to weather coming in (which was obvious in the skies above) that they ask people to take cover. We went under the parking deck cover right beside Macy’s (while other idiots sat in the lightning). Everyone was great there we all had fun, we talked to each other a bit. Decided God was furnishing us with fireworks. About 50 minutes later 94.9 came over the speaker and said that the fireworks would start in 10 minutes. A roar went off throughout the crowd & everyone made their way back to the parking lot with umbrellas in hand. We watched the fireworks an hour later than expected and in the rain. BUT, it was GREAT! No problems, crowd control did not seem to be an issue, no fights in our area and now, next year Centennial will have a bad name for this BUT hey, come to Lenox, we always have a blast there and seem to be able to handle crowds more proficiently!

By Romunda

July 5, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

I got drenched also. The paking was terribly high and there was no police there what so ever. However, it seems like I walked for days to find an entrance into the park. I told myself why are all those gates closed. In addton, there was way to many kids without supervison. I know you want kids to have a good time but they need supervision. What happens it that parents give there kids money to get on the train and go so they can have there alone time. The park served as a baby sitter. In addtion, there were no police, no intercom system, no type of order. I had to wait in the rain just to exit the park only to not be able to see becasue I could not keep my glasses clean. In additon, people very hitting people, and knocking into people becasue they were trying to get out. I know people will continue to come down there but something does have to be done about the kids or make a rule kids 16 and under have to be accompined by an adult. They stopped to check our bags, they could check for that. It is sad to say that but times have changed. Also we will see what happens tonight, but they should let my parking fare roll over from yesteday. Just to chaotic for the average person.

By peab

July 5, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

Brian: the state of Georgia owns and operates Centennial Olympic Park. The city of Atlanta does not. Sonny did it. Blame him, not Atlanta.

By CT

July 5, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

I was at Centennial Park last night. My daughter and I were responsible for the safety of my nieces, my neighbor, and my own children. The first part of the day was great the children really enjoyed themselves. Unfortunately fights broke out and all hades broke loose. fights every where. the Marta station closed leaving parents separated from their children and other family members. There was no Police present with a crowd so large. So many fights, so little Police. Where were you when we needed you. As far as I know I witnessed only one arrest, my daughter. Why? Because she came down on the elevator at the wrong time. She was not allowed to reunite with her child and family because the Police Officer decided that they need to arrest some one. Wrong choice. Out of all the chaos and Police brutality against my daughter, there was one ANGEL that works for Marta and her name is Audrey Pinesett. She was a blessing for me and my family. She helped gather up family and helped to calm the little ones and get us on the train to get started on our way minus my daughter. If Atlanta cannot control a crowd like last night what are you gonna do if there’s a terror attack on us. YOU CAN’T DO IT, YOU CAN’T DO IT.

By Steve Skelton

July 5, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Well, after reading about the chaos at Olympic Park, I am glad that I was at the Braves’ game. Yeah, it was a LONG rain delay, and they didn’t really do a good job of letting the folks at the stadium know what was going on, but that is LOTS better than being around a bunch of unsupervised kids that want to act like idiots. To the parents of these little monsters….WHERE WERE YOU AND WHY DO YOU ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO ACT LIKE ANIMALS!!?? As a lifelong Georgia resident…I am ashamed that people in my state can be so irresponsible.

By Patricia Reed

July 5, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Last night we gathered in Centennial Park with thousands of others to watch the fireworks. When the storm broke and the crowd was told to evacuate and take cover in the CNN center, we tried to exit the park by the closest exit. THE GATE WAS LOCKED! Thousands of people trying to get out, and the gate was locked! Whose brilliant idea was that? That could have caused a panic situation. People trying to get their little kids to safety are desperate. PLEASE, contact the powers that be and see that this never happens again. It was scary. Up until then, we had a great first experience in the park.

By Vanessa

July 5, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

I heard that Stone Mountain was great and i think we will go there next year. I guess everyone is accountable for their own actions. To each is own!

By Mark

July 5, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

After witnessing a brutal street fight last year at C.O.P. I vowed not to return.

To those screaming that the state runs the park… that may be true but the city cops are responsible for the streets surrounding the park… and Marta is a whole other story. People should know that you cannot have a decent safe time in the downtown area anymore.

By Tanji

July 5, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

To CT I am so sorry that your daughter was arrested last night out of error. I hope she is back home now. My prayers are with you and your family.

By Faye

July 5, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

I wasn’t at the park, I was at home on a nice hill overlooking the area observing multiple North Fulton displays. But just a few comments: 1)Parents, NEVER EVER let the little ones out of your site in a large crowd. If you had them by the hand you wouldn’t have lost them in CNN 2)Parents, take responsibility for your teenagers and don’t let them go unsupervised to COL.. I know that they think parents are uncool; but you are just that their parent and they are your responsibilty 3)State of GA.. if you truly are responsible for COL, then control it at these events.. if you don’t have enough staff to do so, work with the city to hire off duty cops/etc. 4)City of Atlanta, THINK. you may not be responsible for COL; BUT if there had have been a tragedy, the “deep pocket” lawyers would have sued first and sorted out governmental responsibilities later… would it have really been all that difficult to provide extra security at an event known to draw large crowds. 5)MARTA… see item 4 and also, crowd control can be achieved in a safe and reassuring manner.. if need be take lessons from the DC METRO police. 6)Residents in general… take control/responsibility for your own life safety.. locate the nearest exit/alternate exit/ route home etc. PRIOR to needing them. Have a plan for your family if you are seperated.Last night just shows we can not and should not rely on the government for everything.

By Wayne

July 5, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

Yeah it is no surprise to me to hear about the teenagers fighting. There is just no parental control or responsibility these days. Just look at what happened to those teenagers that robbed the guy over Mem Day weekend. Here were all these adults coming to the defense of these delequents that should be sitting in jail right now instead of being granted bail. Just another example of the decline of our society and the negative impact of this whole hip-hop, rap, drug and gang culture on our youth.

By Rob

July 5, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

All of the event planning in world won’t fix what’s wrong with this city. The youth of this city have no respect for others or themselves. The last time I went something after dark in Atlanta I witnessed plenty of fights and I won’t even mention the gauntlet of homeless people.