Editor’s note: A previous version of this article stated that the total damage to the construction site and police vehicles had exceeded $100 million based on statements from State House Rep. Silcox. Since, the Atlanta Police Department corrected the statement to reflect the total cost of damage as reached $10 million.
The string of arsons targeting Atlanta’s public safety training center and businesses involved in the project has prompted a massive $200,000 reward from the Atlanta Police Department for information leading to related arrests.
Now, one of Atlanta’s state lawmakers is citing those vandalism cases to propose a bill that would create a new crime for setting a police vehicle on fire. Under the proposal, individuals convicted of arson of a law enforcement vehicle shall face a fine of up to $100,000 and/or five to 20 years in prison.
The bill passed the House floor last legislative session and reemerged this year on the Senate side of the Gold Dome. State House Rep. Deborah Silcox, an Atlanta Republican, told Senate lawmakers on the Rules committee last week that the rising cost of property damage related to Atlanta’s training facility is a reason why the change is necessary.
Silcox said she recently spoke with Atlanta Police Department’s Chief Administrative Officer Peter Aman who told her that the damage to the construction site and police vehicles has exceeded $10 million.
“I do think that this is needed because I do think we need to send a message to folks that come from out of state that Georgia is not going to tolerate this behavior,” she said.
It is still unclear when or if the bill will make it to the Senate floor for a vote.
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Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens touted the city’s focus on Buckhead last week at the annual Buckhead Coalition Luncheon — a swanky, invite-only event at the St. Regis Atlanta that brings together politicians, business leaders and high-profile community members.
“It is nice to be in a wonderful community right here in the city of Atlanta,” he told the crowd, emphasizing the word city as the crowd laughed. “I smile about that, now.”
Dickens was of course referring to the effort by some residents in the wealthy neighborhood to seceded from the city of Atlanta, citing frustration with the city’s response to violent crime. For the past two years, Dickens successfully thwarted the effort in the legislature that was backed by a handful of rural Republicans.
His jokes indicated he’s confident the idea won’t make much headway again. Part of the reason for his confidence, as he reminded the crowd, is that homicides across the city are down 21% from last year and down 36% in the Buckhead neighborhood alone.
Although, he noted, there’s still progress to be made around car thefts, shoplifting and street racing.
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Credit: Jenni Girtman
Credit: Jenni Girtman
Housing advocates launched a campaign last week against a piece of legislation that would have added legislative hurdles for developers building tiny homes in Atlanta.
The proposal would have prohibited development of single-family homes under 750 square feet unless the property is granted a special permit by the city. We first reported on the bill in last week’s Inside City Hall newsletter.
Groups like Abundant Housing Atlanta sent out email blasts to followers and began reaching out to city leaders in opposition, saying the additional restrictions would make it harder for nonprofits and developers to build affordable homes.
Council member Marci Collier Overstreet, who sponsored the measure, said the bill was intended to help maintain the character of Atlanta’s neighborhoods by creating additional steps for tiny homes. However, after backlash, Overstreet said that she’s pressing pause on the idea.
“I am currently in the process of revising and revamping (the legislation),” Overstreet said in a statement. “As always, I focus on finding effective and appropriate housing solutions and providing more housing options to address affordability in Atlanta.
“I aim to craft legislation that not only avoids exacerbating the housing issue but also brings tangible benefits to the city,” she said. “In its current form and the forthcoming amended legislation, we will not prohibit anything, and there will be an increase in housing options.”
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Credit: Miguel Martinez
Credit: Miguel Martinez
