ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin says she plans to add 139 more police officers to the city's force in response to criticism that she and the police chief aren't doing enough about crime.
She said Thursday that the initiative will begin Sept. 15 when 27 new officers hit the streets in areas where a recent string of carjackings have concerned residents. In addition, Police Chief Richard Pennington says he will leave his job at the end of the year when Franklin's second term as mayor ends.
Though data shows violent crime in Atlanta is down 10 percent compared to this time last year, high profile crimes like the carjacking of a city councilman and the fatal shooting of a former boxing champion has drawn a public outcry for more police protection.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
She said Thursday that the initiative will begin Sept. 15 when 27 new officers hit the streets in areas where a recent string of carjackings have concerned residents. In addition, Police Chief Richard Pennington says he will leave his job at the end of the year when Franklin's second term as mayor ends.
Though data shows violent crime in Atlanta is down 10 percent compared to this time last year, high profile crimes like the carjacking of a city councilman and the fatal shooting of a former boxing champion has drawn a public outcry for more police protection.
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
