Atlanta Police

Department
April 2014
Highlights
Atlanta Police Continue
Community Outreach Efforts
April 2, 2014

























The Atlanta Police Department continued to participate in the Fulton Countys Crime & Safety
Summit series. This month, Atlanta Police Command Staff attended two community meetings.
Deputy Chief Ernest Finley and Major Wayne Whitmire provided information on current APD safety
efforts and responded to questions from citizens concerned about crime.



Midtown Patch Story
Another Fulton County Crime & Safety Summit Wednesday

Midtown Patch Story
Crime & Safety Summit in Midtown Tuesday

AJC Story
Leaders to host crime forum

Neighborhood Newspapers
Officials to host public safety summit

My Fox Atlanta
Midtown neighbors
meet with community leaders about crime



Atlanta Police Open Citizens Academy
April 3, 2014
























The Atlanta Police Department opened the 2014 Spring Citizens Police Academy offering residents a
hands-on opportunity to explore everyday police activities. The academy educates the public about
the department's operations and also gives police a chance to get feedback from citizens. The
Citizens Police Academy includes 30 hours of classes broken down into three-hour sessions one
night a week over seven weeks.




East Patch Story
APD Seeking Participants for Citizens Police Academy



Atlanta Police First in the Nation to Use Facial
Recognition Technology
April 3, 2014
























The Atlanta Police Department is testing a new facial recognition software to help
identify and capture criminals. The program compares photos of unknown suspects
with images from a current criminal database. The Atlanta Police Department is the
first law enforcement agency in the nation to use the technology and the Department
hopes the program will lead to increased arrests.
.


APD Testing New Software
WSB-TV
APD Testing New Software











Atlanta Crime Lowest in 44 years
April 4, 2014






Atlanta Intown Paper Story
Report: Atlanta crime drop more than double
the national rate

Atlanta Business Chronicle
Atlanta Police Foundation:
Crime dropped 30 percent in 2013

CBS 46 Story
Report: Overall crime in Atlanta down 30 percent

AJC Story
Report: Violent crime down in Atlanta last year











The Atlanta Police Foundation released its annual crime report showing that crime in the city has
significantly dropped by 30 percent. The report compares the 2013 calendar year to 2012 and
reveals that total crime in the city is at its lowest in 44 years. The Atlanta Police Foundation is an
important partner that supports the departments staffing and technology efforts. In the last few
years, the Foundation has helped develop the Video Integration Center, the Atlanta Police
Intelligence Network and the predictive policing software, PredPol.







Atlanta Police Host Free Youth Events
April 5, 2014
























Atlanta Police hosted two free youth events in April. The Atlanta Police Athletic League hosted a free
tennis day to encourage kids to stay active. The School Detectives Section also sponsored a free
Spring Break camp for Atlanta Public Schools students. The week-long Larry Bacon Annual
Basketball Bash provided basketball clinics, cheerleading lessons, free lunch and daily prizes to all
middle and high school students. APD thanks event sponsors V103, Pepsi, Gatorade, Ice Box,
Patchwerk Recording Studios, Paulsen Foods, Flowers Foods, and Atlanta Public Schools.


Cascade Patch Story
APD Athletic League Hosting
Free Youth Tennis Day Saturday

Buckhead Patch Story
Free Spring Break Sports Events
for APS Students from APD







Atlanta Police Homicide Unit
Highlighted on National TV show
April 8, 2014


























The Atlanta Police Departments Homicide Unit and Investigator Summer Benton were featured on
the TLC Network. The "Women of Homicide was a reality series that followed female detectives
from several police departments. Investigator Benton is a 12-year department veteran who has
solved 23 cases and is also a hostage negotiator for the City of Atlanta.


Channel Guide Magazine Story
Interview: Detective Summer Benton
of TLCs Women of Homicide

AJC
TLCs Women of Homicide features
Atlanta detective Summer Benton


East Atlanta Patch
Atlanta Police to Appear in
TV Show 'Women of Homicide'









Atlanta Police Continues to Boost Police Force
April 10, 2014
























This month, the Atlanta Police Department added 28 new officers to the police force. Class 235
consisted of 26 male and 2 female officers. The new officers completed 22 weeks of rigorous training at
the Atlanta Police Academy. Next, the new officers will complete 12 weeks of field training with veteran
officers. The Atlanta Police Department is the largest force in Georgia with more than 2,000 officers.



Fox Atlanta Story
Atlanta police swearing in 28 new officers

Decaturish Story
More cops Atlanta to swear in 28 new officers







Atlanta Police Continue Day in the Life Series with
Homicide Unit Commander Paul Guerrucci
April 16, 2014


























Atlanta Police continued the Day in the Life social media series by following Captain Paul Guerrucci,
commander of the Homicide Unit. On April 16, citizens were able to witness Captain Guerruccis
10+hour day that included leading a community canvas, attending a retirement luncheon for one the
departments lead detectives and teaching a college course on criminal investigations. The Homicide
Unit investigates cold case murders, kidnappings and police involved shootings. The Atlanta Police
Department Homicide Unit is one of the best in the country with a clearance rate 20 percent above
the national average.











Atlanta Police Catch Notorious
Credit Card Identity Thieves
April 18, 2014


























Atlanta Police arrested two suspected wallet thieves responsible for hundreds of fraudulent credit
card charges. Cortez Benjamin and Cherie Miller were caught at a college campus bookstore
attempting to purchase items with stolen credit cards. In J anuary, the pair were also involved in an
incident where a woman's purse was stolen from a Midtown restaurant. The suspects targeted
customers throughout metro Atlanta and face more than 140 different charges.


WSB Radio Story
Atlanta police catch wallet snatchers red-handed

WSB-TV Story
Pair facing 140+ charges of credit card theft, ID fraud












Atlanta Police Help Collect
Unwanted Prescription Drugs
April 26, 2014


























Atlanta Police partnered with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration to help citizens
dispose of unwanted prescription medication. National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day provides a
safe and convenient means of disposing of prescription drugs. This year, the Atlanta Police Department
collected 305 pounds of prescription pills, exceeding last year's collection of more than 89 pounds.











Midtown Patch
Drug Take-Back Day Is April 27
Social Media Networks
Facebook City of Atlanta Police Department 5,543 Likes 687 YTD



Twitter @Atlanta_Police 8,819 Followers 1974 YTD




















APD You Tube
551 subscribers 248,824 views
APD Recruit Class 235 Swearing In Ceremony

Atlanta Police swear in new recruits to the Department. The
ceremony was held at the Atlanta Police Training Academy.

Prepared by Atlanta Police Department
Public Affairs Unit
April 2014