"The Safe City plan is a balanced approach that mobilizes the entire government and engages our partners, communities and residents. It addresses the root causes of crime as well as targets gangs, drugs, illegal guns and repeat offenders. One Safe City is working to keep all our neighborhoods safe and welcoming for residents, visitors and businesses."
Mayor Andre Dickens is known for saying, “Atlanta is a group project,” and this philosophy is central to the "One Safe City" pillar of his Moving Atlanta Forward Agenda. Since taking office, the partnerships and initiatives under the One Safe City plan, combined with the dedicated efforts of police, fire and rescue, and 911, have significantly reduced crime and improved public safety in Atlanta.
This holistic approach involves mobilizing the entire government to enhance public safety—a challenging task made easier when the mission is clear. City departments not typically associated with public safety have been instrumental in supporting the One Safe City initiative under Mayor Dickens' leadership. For example, the Department of Transportation is partnering with Georgia Power on the “Light Up the Night” program, which aims to update and install 30,000 streetlights across the city. Research shows that better lighting reduces both traffic accidents and crime
Engaging partners, communities, and residents is vital to building One SafeCity. While public-private partnerships are not unique to Atlanta, they are crucial to Atlanta for the success of this “group project.” Mayor Dickens’ Year of the Youth initiative is an excellent example of this. With the support of public and private partners, and with buy-in from communities and residents, the program has been successful in creating opportunities for Atlanta’s youth. The initiative provides leadership, employment, mentorship, academic, athletic, and recreational opportunities, helping to build a safer city by fostering stronger and brighter futures
There are numerous examples of partners, communities, and residents collaborating to create One Safe City, often through humanitarian aid, social services, and alternatives to policing. These include:
Addressing the root causes of crime is crucial for crime prevention. As Mayor Dickens noted, the focus is on targeting gangs, drugs, illegal guns, and repeat offenders—all contributing to a safer city. His innovative approach includes initiatives like the Repeat Offender Tracking Commission, the implementation of the Connect Atlanta home camera registration system, the creation of a Night life Division to address establishments with a history of high crime, continued participation in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Court Watch program, and support for the Atlanta Citizen Review Board for police accountability, among others.
