Councilwoman Archibong, Mayor to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Crime

EAST LAKE — Atlanta City Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong, who represents District 5 and Mayor Kasim Reed will host a 6 p.m. town hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 5 at Drew Charter School — 301 East Lake Blvd. SE — to discuss crime and the city’s public safety plans.

The meeting follows a serious surge in crime to hit the East Atlanta Patch communities that comprise District 5, including four shooting deaths in East Atlanta, armed robberies in Kirkwood, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown and East Lake and other major incidents.

“I encourage Council District 5 residents to attend this very important event to hear first-hand the mayor's plans for addressing crime and his commitment to sustaining those efforts," Archibong said in a statement.

The town hall aims to connect city officials with community members by giving residents a chance to discuss issues facing their neighborhoods as well as communicate their concerns with elected and appointed leaders.

Reed, a Democrat seeking reelection to a second mayoral term and seen as a rising star in national politics, has issued statements about his crime concerns.

In the case of the Patrick Cotrona murder, pledged a $25,000 reward for information leading toward his killer's capture. 

But this marks Reed's first appearance in Southeast Atlanta before residents to address their crime concerns directly.

Besides Archibong and Reed other leaders expected to attend include:

• Duriya Farooqui, Chief Operating Officer
• Police Chief George N. Turner, Atlanta Police Department
• Maj. Timothy Peek, Zone 6 Atlanta Police Department
• Maj. Keith Meadows, APD – School Detectives Section