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One-on-one with Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum
He's seeking buy-in from Atlanta residents and seeking to rebuild a police force that's about 500 officers short.
ATLANTA - Atlanta police investigated 7% more homicides in 2022 than in 2021. Burglaries, shoplifting and car thefts also increased in the city.
Atlanta Police Department data showed there were more homicides in northwest Atlanta, southwest Atlanta and areas near Downtown and Midtown compared to the previous year. Homicides decreased in neighborhoods in Buckhead, East Atlanta and southwest Atlanta.
Citywide, crime remained relatively flat overall. Atlanta Police Department data showed 22,334 "Group A" incidents (homicide, rape, aggravated assault and six different kinds of property crimes) in 2022 compared to 22,434 in 2021.
Command changed hands in the Atlanta Police Department in the middle of the year when Police Chief Darin Schierbaum transitioned from "interim" chief.
"We will continue to aggressively target gangs, drugs and illegal guns in our city, while also deepening the bonds of trust and service between the force and the community," Schierbaum said at his inauguration in 2022.
Atlanta homicides increase in 2022
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Police in Downtown zone say stolen cars are biggest problem
Police said it's important to take keys and lock they doors of your car. Some of Atlanta's biggest attractions for tourists are in this police zone.
For the third consecutive year, homicide investigations have increased in the city. Atlanta police investigated 170 homicides in 2022. That rate has slowed down, however, since it increased by approximately 60% from 2019 to 2020.
Homicides in Zone 5 (36) doubled in 2022 compared to 2021. The zone, which covers Midtown and Downtown, has the most businesses and tourist attractions.
Atlanta passed the 100 homicide mark in August 2022.
Thefts, car crimes increase
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Atlanta police plan to issue steering wheel locks to address car crimes
Crime is on the rise in Atlanta Police Zone 4. That is the district that includes neighborhoods such as Adamsville, Greenbriar, and Oakland City. The zone commander says he is working to fight car crimes.
Instances of burglary and shoplifting increased in Atlanta compared to the previous year. Motor vehicle thefts increased 5% overall.
More glaring than the city-wide trend though, was the 31% increase in burglary calls and 22% spike in motor vehicle thefts reported in Zone 6, which is located in East Atlanta.
What crimes decreased in Atlanta in 2022?
Reported rapes and aggravated assaults decreased citywide in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Robberies and larcenies that did not involve cars or burglaries also decreased over the past year.