Crime in Atlanta

Crime in Atlanta, Georgia has often been higher than the average for the country, and it has been a big concern for the city since the middle of the last century.

Between 2001 and 2010, Atlanta improved its public safety more quickly than most other places in the United States. For many years, Atlanta was often listed among the cities with the most serious problems, but by 2009 it had moved down to 31st place, and by 2015 it was ranked 19th by some reports. However, experts warn that simply comparing crime rates between cities can be misleading. Many factors, such as how crowded an area is, how many people live there, and what kinds of jobs are available, all affect these numbers.

History

During the 1970s, Atlanta, like many large cities in the United States, saw its population shrink and its city center begin to wear down. Crime rose sharply in the 1980s, especially with the spread of certain harmful substances during that time. By 1994, Atlanta was considered the most unsafe major city in the country.

Efforts to improve safety grew in the late 1990s and early 2000s, with many local police teams working together to reduce crime. Even during tough economic times, progress continued. In April 2025, Atlanta opened a new, large training center for police officers and firefighters to help keep the city safer.

Policing

The city is served by the Atlanta Police Department. In 2013, the department had around 2,000 officers, but the number has gone down since then. The mayor has aimed to bring the number back up to 2,000. Some officers have been unhappy because of salary issues, and many who joined between 2005 and 2013 left by 2017. Atlanta is split into six areas for police patrols.

The public transport system, run by the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, also has its own police force. Crime rates on the transport system are about the same as in the Washington, D.C., area, higher than in the area around Boston, but lower than around San Francisco. The number of serious crimes on the transport system has gone down since 2013.

Crime rates and trends

From 2009 to 2016, crime in Atlanta went down by 27 percent. There were big drops in break-ins, robberies, and serious attacks during this time. From 2016 to 2021, crime kept falling overall, though there was a small rise between 2020 and 2021 because of changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with this small rise, the long-term trend shows less crime happening.

The number of murders in Atlanta was highest in 1990 and has gone down since then. After a low point in 2012, the number of murders started to go up again. In 2022, Atlanta saw its highest number of murders in many years, but by 2023, this number had fallen again as police focused on taking dangerous items and groups off the streets.

Gang crime

Street gangs have been a part of Atlanta since the late 1970s. In 2015, police were tracking about 192 gangs, which was more than double the number known six years earlier. These gangs are involved in serious crimes such as drug dealing, carjacking, identity theft, and credit card fraud. A survey in 2024 showed that gang membership in Georgia has increased by 80% since 2018, with many young people joining.

Some gangs in Atlanta are connected to well-known local hip-hop artists. In 2022, there was a big rise in gang-related legal cases in the city. In 2023, Atlanta was named one of the worst cities in the U.S. for gang activity. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation Gang Task Force works closely with Atlanta police to fight gang crimes in the area.

Human trafficking

Main article: Human trafficking in Georgia (U.S. state) § Atlanta

Atlanta is an important transportation center that has seen many problems with adults who want to hurt children. Many dangerous groups in the city are involved in these harmful activities, often targeting children as young as 12 or 13 years old. The city hosts many large events and conventions, which can sometimes make it easier for these harmful activities to happen. This is a serious issue that authorities are working to address.

Notable incidents

Some serious events happened in Atlanta over the years. From 1979 to 1981, a sad series of tragedies occurred where many young people were lost. In 1996, during the Summer Olympics, an explosion happened in a public area, which caused injuries to many people. There have also been other difficult moments, including shootings in workplaces and at spas, where many people were hurt or lost their lives. These events remain important reminders of the need for safety and care in our communities.