Conyers police announced Thursday they will treat all children left unattended in a vehicle as an emergency situation.

“This is a dangerous, and too often deadly, practice that seems to be on the rise,” said Chief Gene Wilson in announcing a change in departmental policy. “We have to take all precautions and actions to circumvent this practice and the negligent actions of parents and care-givers…

“We have to act and respond in an effort to save the lives of innocent victims.”

Wilson cited the increase in the number of cases reported in metro Atlanta — such as one recently in Gwinnett — that have occurred since the Cobb County murder investigation began of a father whose son died when left for a day in a parked vehicle.

The Conyers police department has revamped its policy to designate that officers are now required to treat a report of an unattended child in a vehicle as an emergency response, Wilson said.

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez