APD Conducts Second Crime Sweep

ATLANTA - A father of three gunned down in front of his family is one of the homicides that sparked increased police presence in one Atlanta neighborhood. Dozens of officers hit the streets Friday night, stepping up patrols in Zone 1.

Atlanta police staged the second major crime sweep in two days.

Police set up several check points to combat a string of recent crimes, including robberies, home invasions and murder.

The Atlanta Police Department is reaching out to the public, looking for any information that may help solve some of the crimes.

"It also could happen in Buckhead, Midtown, East Atlanta, Dunwoody," said Public Safety Captain John Wolfinger.

For those who live and work in Virginia Highland the recent homicide of Charles Boyer outside his girlfriend's apartment was a wake-up call that the city streets can be dangerous and that danger can appear anywhere.

"It has really brought a call of attention to the neighborhood and we are uniting as a total force more than we ever have before," said Wolfinger.

"We don't leave alone, we make sure when we leave everybody leaves together, everybody parks close, if they do park far away somebody drives them to their car," said Virginia Highland resident Chris Dean.

"I know that people are having anxiety, but we've got to properly train the 220 people we hired and get them on the street as quickly as possible, but not before they're ready to police the city," said Mayor Kasim Reed.

In an interview with Georgia Newsday, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said he's heard those resident conces and is responding as fast as he can, following up on his pledge to put 700 more officers on the streets.

"It takes about four to six months to get a recruitment class through the system. So I understand the anxiety that people are feeling. I believe any murder is inexcusable but it is taking time -- time to get the police funded, hired," said Reed.

Still there is frustration in communities around the city such as what spilled over at a town hall meeting in the English Avenue community, an area where a father of three was murdered earlier this week.

Atlanta police point to recent crime sweeps and statistics which they say show signs of progress.

"This year we will be under 100 murders in this city for the third time in 53 years. We are making a dent for what's going on with the violence in this city. We have to continue to work toward that as well," said Atlanta Police Chief George Tuer.

The crime sweep focused on Atlanta's West End as authorities try to gather additional information about who may be responsible behind a couple of high profile crimes there. Units of the Atlanta Police Homicide Unit, along with Red Dog, Gangs Task Force and Zone One personnel participated in the sweep.