Atlanta group takes crime fighting into their own hands

ATLANTA - An organization in Atlanta is taking matters into their own hands and patrolling neighborhoods where they feel crime is a problem.

New Era Atlanta launched their “Streets is Watching” community patrol program and walked the streets of the Pittsburgh community in Southwest Atlanta Monday, talking to residents about their concerns in the neighborhood.

WATCH: Neighbors patrol streets

“The thing we say in new era is we ask whose streets these are? Our streets," said New Era Atlanta member Judge D.  "We really take pride in that and we take pride in that, by coming into the streets and making sure our children are safe." 

The group of men and women are dedicated to uniting, revitalizing and protecting communities in Atlanta. A top priority for the group is the safety of children, making their presence known when kids are getting out of school.

“We need to take it upon ourselves to actually come out and make sure that the children as they’re walking around they are going from school to school, they are going from their friends house to the next friend’s house that they are safe,” said D.

“My baby she is always getting incidents at the bus stop so I mean if they are going to be there I know I ain’t got to worry about her being in no trouble,” said Brittany Jackson, a resident and mother.

Atlanta Police said crime is down in southwest Atlanta compared to statistics from last year, but members of New Era Atlanta said while it is down; it is not at a level they are comfortable with.

“Even though the crime may have gone down we are still talking to the people and they are still telling us that there are shootings going on, they had to close the store down here because of the amount of drug trafficking that was going on right there ,” said D.

The group said they are not trying to take the place of police, but feel there are not enough patrols in the area and will work with police in order to improve communities.