EDGEWOOD — Following an ambush shooting of an Atlanta police officer at the Edgewood Court Apartments over the weekend, the complex's owner, city and law enforcement leaders vowed Wednesday to redouble their efforts to curb crime.
"We are fully engaged in doing everything possible in removing the criminal element," Atlanta City Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong said in a news conference onsite at the 204-unit complex at 1572 Hardee St.
The news conference came amidst ongoing crime fears expressed by residents at Edgewood Court that culminated in the Nov. 9 shooting of Officer Christopher L. Smith, who was working off-duty security that night.
Smith who was shot in the face and leg is recovering from his injuries and police have offered a $5,000 reward to find his shooter.
The incident underscored what some residents at the complex and surrounding neighborhood say has been an ongoing issue at the property, which is owned by Atlanta-based H.J. Russell & Co.
H. Jerome Russell, president of the construction and real estate management firm, said his company is committed to tackling the issue and making residents safe.
"We're concerned; we don't want this," Russell said. "We're going to use whatever resources, whatever relationships we have to ensure that we create a safe environment."
The company hired John Spillers, the former protective services director of the Atlanta Housing Authority and now president of the Spillers Group in Stockbridge to serve as security consultant.
"We have done quite a bit," Spillers said since coming onboard a little more than a year ago. "We track crime, we track incidents, we identify individuals as they relate to residents of this community and take appropriate action."
Among the changes: hiring more off-duty police to patrol the complex, which, unlike the other Russell-owned properties, is not an enclosed, gated community.
Russell and Spillers told East Atlanta Patch they also are doing more lease enforcement and evictions of residents linked to criminal activity.
Asked how many evictions were served on residents in the last year, Russell said he did not have that information immediately available.
Police, who suspect the shooting was a result of the increased police presence in recent months, pledged continued stepped up patrols.
Still, some residents who attended the news conference, did not want to speak publicly to reporters or be videotaped for fears of retaliation.
"We are fully engaged in doing everything possible in removing the criminal element," Atlanta City Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong said in a news conference onsite at the 204-unit complex at 1572 Hardee St.
The news conference came amidst ongoing crime fears expressed by residents at Edgewood Court that culminated in the Nov. 9 shooting of Officer Christopher L. Smith, who was working off-duty security that night.
Smith who was shot in the face and leg is recovering from his injuries and police have offered a $5,000 reward to find his shooter.
The incident underscored what some residents at the complex and surrounding neighborhood say has been an ongoing issue at the property, which is owned by Atlanta-based H.J. Russell & Co.
H. Jerome Russell, president of the construction and real estate management firm, said his company is committed to tackling the issue and making residents safe.
"We're concerned; we don't want this," Russell said. "We're going to use whatever resources, whatever relationships we have to ensure that we create a safe environment."
The company hired John Spillers, the former protective services director of the Atlanta Housing Authority and now president of the Spillers Group in Stockbridge to serve as security consultant.
"We have done quite a bit," Spillers said since coming onboard a little more than a year ago. "We track crime, we track incidents, we identify individuals as they relate to residents of this community and take appropriate action."
Among the changes: hiring more off-duty police to patrol the complex, which, unlike the other Russell-owned properties, is not an enclosed, gated community.
Russell and Spillers told East Atlanta Patch they also are doing more lease enforcement and evictions of residents linked to criminal activity.
Asked how many evictions were served on residents in the last year, Russell said he did not have that information immediately available.
Police, who suspect the shooting was a result of the increased police presence in recent months, pledged continued stepped up patrols.
Still, some residents who attended the news conference, did not want to speak publicly to reporters or be videotaped for fears of retaliation.
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