APD outlines World Cup security plans as council presses for resources in rising Zone 3 gun violence

Deputy Chief Kelly Collier of the Atlanta Police Department told the Public Safety & Legal Administration Committee on Feb. 9 that Atlanta is 126 days away from its first FIFA World Cup match and that APD is coordinating local, state and federal security efforts.

The department also described recent operational successes and urgent incidents: Collier said officers made a quick arrest in a multi-jurisdiction assault investigation and described a separate weekend officer-involved incident off Cheshire Bridge Road that involved a standoff, SWAT response and use of gas and a drone. "We called in SWAT, the negotiators... Eventually, SWAT did an outstanding job of entering the location and apprehending him," Collier said. She added that officers who were grazed or injured were receiving physical and mental support.

Why it matters: the city will host World Cup matches this summer, and council members sought assurance APD can protect large events while addressing neighborhood violence.

Council member Antonio Lewis pressed Collier for regular updates to families in officer-involved cases and asked the department to brief the committee on investigative steps. Collier and staff said body-worn footage in the case of Linton Blackwell had been placed with the family's office and that the law department and city attorney would be engaged. "It will be in the law department at this time, and we will speak with the city attorney regarding this matter," the chair said in response to the family’s request.

Council members also asked how APD is responding to a rise in gun violence among young people in Zone 3. Collier said the department reviews data daily and holds weekly strategy meetings, and has requested and received security assessments for apartment complexes in the area. "We are constantly speaking with Major Wilfork, who's doing an excellent job," she said.

The committee heard that, while citywide short-term crime metrics were down for seven- and 28-day windows, some zones are experiencing increases against historically low baselines. Collier urged continued collaboration between council members and APD on targeted resources.

Next steps: committee members requested APD provide more granular zone-by-zone data and updates on family notifications for officer-involved incidents. The department committed to continuing its weekly operational meetings and to work with the law department on the body-worn footage question.