Small crowd, heightened security combines for peaceful Screen on the Green

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A new security plan, coupled with a much smaller than usual crowd, made for a peaceful resumption of Piedmont Park's summer film series Thursday night.

Atlanta police reported no arrests and no major disruptions, said Atlanta Police Department spokesman Carlos Campos. "From a public safety standpoint, the new plan was a success," he said.

Screen on the Green's return was delayed one week after roving groups of teens took over the June 3 showing of "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Then, there was roughly one police officer for every 500 movie viewers, with an estimated crowd of 10,000 showing up for the action blockbuster. Atlanta Police would not disclose numbers for Thursday night's film, except to say the private security force -- paid for by sponsors Peachtree TV and the Piedmont Park Conservancy -- had been tripled.

They were flanked by off-duty APD officers and a mobile command patrol empowered to marshal on-duty cops, if necessary.

"Communication was a big problem last time," said APD Lt. Joe Spillane, assistant commander with Zone 5. "We're all on the same channel this time."

With "Dreamgirls" appealing to a less broad audience and stormy weather keeping many moviegoers away from the sundown showing, APD was able to use Thursday's screening as something of a dress rehearsal.

"[Attendees] want to see [security], but they don't want to see so many where they think this is a police state," Spillane told the AJC.

A handful of on-duty police officers, some on horses, were spotted before the film's start, and a cadre of undercover APD school detectives were dispatched throughout the crowd, which appeared closer to 1,000 than the 10,000 who packed the park two weeks ago.

"Everywhere I’ve turned I see a cop," said John Rogers, 29, of Marietta, who attended with his wife and 10-week-old baby, adding he did not mind the extra security.

Billie Webb, of Stone Mountain, said security concerns were not going to keep her away.

“I just decided I was going to come to one of these before it ended,” said Webb who celebrated her 55th birthday Thursday.

She too noticed the extra security and was “glad to see it.”

"The new public safety plan incorporates increased security personnel, including on-duty and off-duty Atlanta police officers and staffers from a private security firm that regularly handles events in Piedmont Park," Mayor Kasim Reed's office said in a news release earlier this week. "In addition, representatives from MARTA Police and Midtown Blue are participating in this coordinated effort."

Series sponsors Peachtree TV and the Piedmont Park Conservancy hired a new firm to provide more security to quiet disturbances within the crowd.

Organizers also relocated the screen, vending stations and portable toilets to improve pedestrian flow.

A bigger test will be next week, however, when "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" closes out the summer movie series. "We'll have a better sense then of the effectiveness [of the new plan]," Spillane said.

Peachtree TV spokeswoman Gina McKenzie said the choice of movie types, blamed by some for attracting disruptive teens, is unlikely to change for the 2011 season.

"The movies are selected to reflect the Peachtree TV brand, which appeals to a more contemporary audience," McKenzie said.