Franklin Road safer, better after joint effort

Metro Atlanta

Franklin Road safer, better after joint effort

Photos: Franklin Road in Marietta, once an unsafe and deteriorating area, has undergone change through local efforts and a five-year federal grant program administered by the Department of Justice.

Franklin Road (shown in this 2006 photo) was once a prosperous area in Marietta, but it underwent a decline. The mile-and-a-quarter-long roadway is dotted with aging strip malls, motels, bus stops, 11 apartment complexes, office parks and a few upscale office towers.

Recent local efforts and a five-year federal grant program have made a difference. Here, residents at the Casa Mia Trace apartments take part in a National Night Out party that brought together five apartment complexes.

Marietta Police Officer Heath Henderson challenges two youngsters at Casa Mia Trace apartments to a game in order to win a prize. Violent crime in the area has declined 14 percent since 2006. Over the five-year program which ends in 2011, $824,000 will have been poured into the community to pay for extra policing and community service.

Angela Smith, shown in 2007, managed the Las Colinas apartments. She headed up the federal program on the street to reduce crime and is a big advocate for the area.

Angela Smith, a native of Colombia, is shown in 2007 at the Las Colinas apartment as she shares a light moment with Las Colinas employee Allen Marrion.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms lent its assistance to the Marietta Police Department in drug investigations. ATF agents came twice a week to help orchestrate undercover drug buys, saturation patrols and reverse stings on drug buyers.

The federal grant program came into being during the tenure of former Mayor Bill Dunaway. "It's been a real godsend for the people that live on Franklin Road," he said.

Jose Juarez, shown in this 2007 photo, plays soccer. The Marietta Police Department worked on developing a Police Athletic League and a soccer program to reach youth and encourage them to stay out of trouble.

Part of the federal grant went to service organizations like the Boys & Girls Club. In this 2006 photo, Jezznei Nana, Ruby Ortiz and Diana Ramirez are shown.

Marietta Police Officer Don Smith holds up 4-year-old Romeo Coleman so he can activate the siren on the police department's T3 Series electric standup vehicle during National Night Out at the Notting Hills apartment complex on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010.

Marietta Police Sgt. P. Bonito (left) ties balloons onto a T3 Series electric standup vehicle before Officer Ben Mixon (center) takes the vehicle to the Casa Mia Trace apartment complex tennis court during the National Night Out event in Marietta on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010.

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Franklin Road (shown in this 2006 photo) was once a prosperous area in Marietta, but it underwent a decline. The mile-and-a-quarter-long roadway is dotted with aging strip malls, motels, bus stops, 11 apartment complexes, office parks and a few upscale office towers.

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