Atlanta police report year-over-year crime drop, but note uptick in robberies and call for judicial action on repeat offenders

Atlanta Police Chief Sherbaum told the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee on May 12 that overall crime in the city is down about 11% from this time last year, and that shootings are down roughly 27% year over year.

The chief said the department credits focused enforcement, partnerships with federal and state agencies, and expanded community programs for the reductions, but cautioned that robberies are trending up and are increasingly committed by repeat offenders. He described a multi‑agency probe into a vehicle‑theft ring and asked judges to consider offenders’ records when setting bond.

Chief Sherbaum said, “we are looking at a 11% reduction in overall crime since this time last year,” and he reported a third consecutive year‑over‑year drop in shootings. The department told the committee it recovered 1,042 guns so far this year and charged 267 individuals under Georgia’s gang statutes. The chief also described a multi‑agency investigation called Operation Golden Gate Bridge that targeted an organized ring that stole vehicles from…