ATLANTA PUBLIC SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS

Atlanta’s convention community, public safety and transit partners are prepared for your attendees’ arrival and extend a warm welcome to the heart of our city!

In downtown Atlanta, 11 public safety agencies share jurisdiction, with more than 500 police dedicated to providing services within the Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead meeting districts. These agencies, in partnership with Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) and Ambassador Force, immediately address quality of life issues dealing with illegal solicitors and homelessness.

The APD foot beat unit is assigned to our heavily traveled pedestrian corridors commonly used by conventioneers and visitors. Officers patrol the hotel district and walking routes around Centennial Olympic Park, Georgia World Congress Center and major attractions. To enhance physical patrols, our safety agencies also rely on the collaborative monitoring of two resourceful tools:

Operation Shield

Operation Shield enhances APD’s efforts throughout the city using 400+ cameras that monitor our meeting districts to help with public safety issues. These cameras help APD identify traffic concerns, criminal investigation calls and more. Private and city-owned cameras are integrated into the Video Integration Center (VIC), allowing APD to prevent incidents and quickly solve crimes.

APD Security Communication Network

ComNet is a link between private security and APD via a two-way, UFH radio network. ComNet provides local businesses with an efficient communications link between private/corporate security teams and APD. The ComNet program facilitates APD’s community policing efforts, bringing eyes and ears to city streets that effectively produce an anti-crime force multiplier.

Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) and Downtown Ambassador Force

Ambassadors staff a visitor information booth located at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Andrew Young International Boulevard as a welcome and wayfinding source for convention guests. Mobile ambassadors patrol Downtown (6 a.m. – midnight, Monday-Friday and 7 a.m. – midnight, Saturday-Sunday) via Segways, bikes and on foot. Ambassadors also operate a 24-hour operations center and monitor Downtown’s surveillance cameras. All patrol officers are trained to assist in medical emergencies with direct radio contact to emergency responders. With ambassadors knowing every inch of Downtown, they provide the best routes (by foot, car or MARTA) to any location and even offer to escort guests walking within the convention district.

ADID and The Ambassador Force also provide a cleaning service with a special team that reports and tracks street lighting repairs, traffic signal and pedestrian signal control outages as well as sidewalk, surface and street disruptions due to damage or construction. Through the ADID Clean Team’s daily efforts, Downtown’s sidewalks, trash containers and plazas are kept clean and free of debris with daily vacuuming and pressure washing.

Contact: Visitors can text the Ambassador Force to report a problem or request assistance at (404) 215-9600. This number is monitored seven days a week from 7 a.m. to midnight by Ambassador Communications.

Midtown Alliance and Midtown Blue Supplemental Public Safety Program

Midtown Blue provides supplemental public safety services in close coordination with the Atlanta Police Department (APD) for 24-7-365 coverage in the Midtown Improvement District. This operation, which has run continuously in Midtown since the 1990s is a program of Midtown Alliance,  the nonprofit organization that creates infrastructure improvements in the public realm.  The public safety effort is staffed by off-duty APD officers who work extra shifts in the district alongside a team of specially-trained civilian public safety officers in distinct uniforms, plus shift supervisors and dispatch.  Operational strategies include patrolling, monitoring, education, collaboration and enforcement to protect and serve a densely populated mix of residents, daytime workers and visitors that spend time in the district.  Primary Midtown Blue services include, providing assistance and directions to visitors in the district, operating a 24-hour joint operations center with APD Zone 5 for seamless coordination and actively monitoring an extensive network of 150 cameras that feed into APD’s Video Integration Center.

The Midtown Improvement District through Midtown Green, also provides a cleaning and public space maintenance service.   Midtown Green crews are on the ground daily to remove debris and trash, clean fixtures, maintain parks and plazas and address ADA and safety issues along pedestrian routes.  The team handles operations and maintenance activities as an extension of the City of Atlanta, working to keep the Midtown Improvement District clean and safe.

Georgia World Congress Center – Department of Public Safety

Atlanta is one of only a few cities fortunate enough to boast a world-class convention and events facility with its own public safety department. Georgia World Congress Center Authority’s Department of Public Safety (GWCCA DPS) is active on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For every event, GWCCA DPS works with all involved parties to develop, review and approve a security plan to ensure a comprehensive safety strategy is in place based on the type of the event and number of attendees.

GWCCA DPS uses National Incident Management System (NIMS), the first-ever standardized approach to incident management and response. Developed by the Department of Homeland Security, it establishes a uniform set of processes and procedures that emergency responders at all levels of government will use to conduct response operations. Being NIMS compliant means GWCCA adheres to best practices related to communication, coordination and partnerships with all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA)

For more than a quarter of a century, MARTA has moved more than 3.5 billion people throughout Atlanta and the surrounding cities. It continues to be a staple to the community and is among the largest transit agencies in the United States. MARTA Police Department employs more than 300 police officers and protective specialists that patrol the rail stations and ride buses and trains wearing high visibility uniforms (as well as in plain clothes) to deter crime and respond to incidents quickly.

There are more than 15,000 cameras installed in MARTA buses, trains and rail stations. In case of emergencies, guests can use the blue police phones located throughout all train stations that connect directly to MARTA Police. The MARTA See & Say app for iOS and Android can also be used to anonymously report crimes and policy violations directly to MARTA Police. To reach MARTA Police, in the event of an emergency, call (404) 848-4911. To share general concerns about safety or security, call 404-848-5000.

MARTA Heroes | Keeping You Safe

ACVB works closely with these public transit and safety agencies in regular review meetings to plan for the influx of convention and event visitors, appropriately allocating resources as necessary. Our team prepares event memos that contain a convention’s schedule of events, hotel block and other relevant details which are shared with our community partners including restaurants and attractions.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS, PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES

In Atlanta, we work hard to address the needs of our unsheltered citizens and those suffering food insecurity. Here are some of the programs and initiatives we are proud to partner with that make successful strides to improve quality of life issues for those in need.

ADID Outreach

Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) Outreach Team is comprised of outreach specialists and case managers whose deployment is coordinated with the Ambassador Force. The team responds to non-criminal, non-emergency concerns related to unsheltered homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health crises.

Partners for HOME

Partners for HOME is a compassionate community innovating a robust approach to end homelessness in the City of Atlanta.

Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative (PAD)

The PAD Initiative was born out of the work and vision of Atlantans directly impacted by policing and incarceration and committed to a new approach to community safety and wellness.

HOPE Atlanta

A steadfast support system for friends in dire circumstances, HOPE Atlanta works around the clock to ensure that homelessness and hunger in Atlanta are rare, brief and non-recurring.

Many convention groups seek our assistance connecting with these organizations and many more to coordinate community give-back projects, team building events or donations during their events. Contact us if you are interested in working with any of these partners or other local organizations to leave a lasting legacy of positive change in your convention host city.