Your Role in a Safer Midtown
Public safety is a shared responsibility. Help the Midtown Blue team do the best job they can by doing the best job you can. Here are the most important things to consider when you're spending time in the district:
1. Go with your instincts.
If you observe a situation or a person’s behavior that looks out of place, report it. No matter how inconsequential it might seem.
2. Emergency? Crime in progress? Potential for violence?
Call 911 first. Then call Midtown Blue at 404-817-0500 and we will assist APD with response.
3. Quality of life issue, non-violent crime or question?
Call Midtown Blue first at 404-817-0500. Then call 911. You can also consider calling 311 for the Policing Alternatives & Diversion Initiative.
4. When you read about crime and public safety issues, make sure to get information from accurate, credible sources and to distinguish fact from opinion.
Reading and sharing misinformation or inaccurate information creates all kinds of problems, from misperception to harmful mistakes. When reading news and information, remember to consider a source's credibility and the context for any given issue. Be aware when others inadvertently mix fact and opinion in their communication.
5. Get to know your community's criminal justice and public safety tools and how to use them.
Atlanta Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative
Arresting and jailing people who are causing disturbances or harm as a result of substance use, mental health challenges, or survival activities doesn’t serve Atlanta's communities. Instead, it pushes people even further to the margins, away from the connections and resources that support recovery and wellness.
The cycle of arrest and incarceration does not address the actual issues people are struggling with. In the meantime, Atlanta's communities continue to suffer from a lack of housing options and access to income, mental health services, medical care, and substance use recovery services. PAD fosters a new approach to community safety and wellness by engaging in creative problem-solving to respond to community concerns, and addressing people’s human needs with dignity, patience and care.
Community Referral Services: PAD partners with the City of Atlanta’s 311 non-emergency services line to accept community referrals for issues of concern related to mental health, substance use or extreme poverty.
LEAD Diversion Services: PAD accepts pre-arrest diversion referrals from law enforcement, to provide an immediate alternative to arrest for individuals experiencing substance addiction, mental health concerns, or extreme poverty.
Crime Stoppers
Crime Stoppers is a community based, non-profit program, managed by a civilian volunteer advisory board. It is a crime information collection operation, which enables anyone with information about a crime, and who wishes to remain anonymous, to pass that information on to law enforcement through a neutral organization. The program works because of its unique partnership between the public, the media and law enforcement, working together to resolve community problems through the apprehension of criminals and prevention of crime. It is an effective partnership because everyone shares an equal role in solving crime.
When an individual has information about the criminal activity, any other unsolved crimes, or information about a wanted fugitive, he or she is encouraged to call 404-577-TIPS(8477) or e-mail the anonymous information using the online form at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=552. The tip can result in a reward up to $2,000 to the individual who supplied the information needed to solve the case.
CourtWatch
One of the most successful and recognizable Fulton County Community Prosecution initiatives is the Citizens’ Court Watch program. Often dubbed the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community in court, CourtWatch was created as a vehicle to engage citizens in the criminal justice system. As Community Prosecutors track cases involving repeat offenders and those of general interest to the community, CourtWatchers are encouraged to attend court proceedings and, when deemed appropriate by the Court, offer perspective regarding the impact a defendant’s criminal activity has on a community.
Each spring, the District Attorney’s Office hosts its annual CourtWatch training program where citizens receive a crash-course education in judicial processes and felony case proceedings. To schedule a mini CourtWatch training in your area, or to learn more about becoming a Citizens' CourtWatcher, email courtwatch@fultoncountyga.gov.
Midtown Assistance Center
Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) is a non-profit whose mission is to provide emergency assistance to low-income working Atlantans to help prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis. MAC provides assistance with rent and utilities, groceries, MARTA trips, clothing, identification and referrals. More info at https://midtownassistancecenter.org/.