Over the past few months, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp have teamed with a number of agencies, as well as state and local law enforcement, to crack down to violent crime, criminal street gangs and human trafficking. And, according to the Governor, these partnerships have been instrumental in getting criminals off the streets and making communities across Georgia safer.
One of the most effective initiatives, according to Kemp, is the Atlanta Crime Suppression Detail. This Crime Suppression Unit of the Georgia State Patrol is a multi-agency unit that was created in April of 2021 at the request of Kemp to target reckless street racing and reduce crime in the metro-Atlanta area. Members of the unit include the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Motor Carrier Compliance Division, Department of Public Safety, Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta Police Department, and other local law enforcement.
Between April 9, 2021 and July 25, 2021, the Atlanta Crime Suppression Detail has recorded the following:
• Vehicle Stops: 7,950
• Citations: 5,698
• Arrests: 416
• Pursuits: 226
• Wanted Persons apprehended: 116
• Reckless Drivers stopped: 150
• Stolen Guns confiscated: 38
On July 28, as Governor Kemp and House Speaker David Ralston issued statements in support of the Crime Suppression Unit, the Governor also announced additional funding — up to $2 million — will be allocated to the unit from the Governor’s Emergency Fund to the Department of Public Safety to support the ongoing efforts of the joint law enforcement task force.
“In April of this year, I asked Colonel Chris Wright and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to develop and execute a plan to tackle crime and reckless street racing across the metro-Atlanta region,” said Kemp. “Working with other state agencies and local law enforcement partners, the Crime Suppression Unit is making progress in that mission.”
House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) expressed his support for the work of this unit and the need for the additional funding.
“This additional funding is necessary to keep the streets of Atlanta safe and protect residents and visitors alike,” said Speaker Ralston. “Our state law enforcement personnel are working around the clock to bring criminals to justice, and I greatly appreciate their work on behalf of all Georgians. I am proud to stand with Governor Kemp, Attorney General (Chris) Carr, and my colleagues in the General Assembly on this critical public safety issue.”
Late last month, Governor Kemp and the First Lady attended a briefing from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) on the agency’s Gang Task Force and their work over the past two years to make Georgia communities safer. In fiscal year 2020, the Gang Task Force was involved in 323 gang-related or motivated investigations.
