East Atlanta Shooting: 'We Will Find Who Did This'

EAST ATLANTA — As the neighborhood rallies to combat crime following a second shooting death in a week, community leaders paused Monday to express their condolences, to the family of Patrick Cotrona.

In this Patch Voices video editorial, those leaders, Kevin Spigener, president of the East Atlanta Community Association; Edward Gilgor, chairman of Neighborhood Planning Unit-W and Natalyn Archibong, Atlanta City Councilwoman for District 5, pledged to the greater East Atlanta community a number of steps already were being taken to assure residents and visitors alike that safety is a top priority.

Archibong issued the following statement regarding her discussions with Atlanta Police Department officials:

I am writing to express my extreme concern regarding the recent murders in or near the East Atlanta Village. Today, I spoke with both Major Meadows and Deputy Chief Propes about these horrific crimes. At this point, APD plans to implement a three-pronged approach designed to deter criminal activity. First, Chief Turner has approved overtime hours commencing this week, and continuing through the summer. This means that we should see more foot and bicycle patrols, and the use of the blue light whenever the beat car is in the Village. Second, the COP (Community Oriented Policing) unit will conduct a security assessment to determine where cameras and additional lighting are needed. Third, all security cameras will be linked to the Police Foundation's VIC (Video Integration Center).