Stepping up efforts to battle aggressive panhandling, undercover police in downtown Atlanta will wear concealed cameras to capture threatening behavior.

Maj. Khirus Williams announced the new initiative Friday at the quarterly meeting of Central Atlanta Progress and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District.

Panhandling is the second biggest gripe about Atlanta, behind traffic, according to an Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau survey of visitors. "Several comments indicated that panhandlers followed people," its report says.

Khirus declined to say how many officers will be involved in the hidden-camera effort.

Police and downtown leaders have been meeting on how to curb panhandling. The city passed an anti-panhandling ordinance in August 2005, but it hasn't been rigorously enforced.

Panhandling arrests actually declined last year and in the first quarter of this year.

Assistant Police Chief Alan Dreher said downtown crime overall has fallen 24 percent compared to the first half of 2007, and it's down about half since 2003. However, thefts —- mostly involving shoplifting —- have recently increased. The most common crime continues to be larceny committed at parked vehicles.

The new anti-panhandling tactic was announced just before the business group heard details about a new project —- redeveloping the former Macy's building at 180 Peachtree St.

The plan is to turn the first three floors of the landmark building into stores and restaurants.