Public Safety Archives - South Fulton Observer

Safe Kids Fulton to Check Car Seats, Provide Free Replacements at Publix

15Aug

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Public Safety

Safe Kids Fulton to Check Car Seats, Provide Free Replacements at Publix

Safe Kids Fulton is on a mission to help improve child passenger safety. The organization, along with South Fulton officials, will offer complimentary car seat inspections on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Publix at Sandtown Crossing, 5829 Campbellton Road. Families with car seats that are deemed insufficient will be offered a free replacement. Children must be present. Car crashes are the leading safety issue for children. However, statistics show that parents and caregivers often unknowingly endanger their children by putting them in the wrong seat or not securing them properly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 50 percent of car seats inspected by safety technicians are improperly installed and used. More than 70 percent of forward ...

Police Department to Activate School Zone Cameras Aug. 8

3Aug

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Public Safety

Police Department to Activate School Zone Cameras Aug. 8

Ahead of the reactivation of South Fulton's school zone cameras on Aug. 8, motorists in the area are being encouraged to slow down. South Fulton first launched the Ren’gia Majors School Zone Safety Program in 2019. Majors, an 11-year-old Sandtown Middle School student, was killed in 2018 in a traffic accident in front of the school. Cameras now monitor speeds in 14 school zones throughout the city. City officials partner with Blue Line Solutions to manage the program. The number of cars traveling through South Fulton school zones has been reduced by approximately 25,000 annually, and the number of tickets issued has also substantially decreased. Following Georgia law, the school zone cameras monitor speeds and issue citations during the regular school day on weekdays. For an ...

Firefighters Recognized for Performance during Quarterly Awards Ceremony

31Jul

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Public Safety

Firefighters Recognized for Performance during Quarterly Awards Ceremony

Earlier this month, the City of South Fulton Fire Rescue Department held its Quarterly Awards and Promotional Ceremony at the Georgia Army National Guard – Atlanta Readiness Center. Fire personnel were recognized for promotions and also for demonstrating exceptional performance to "earn their shields." The department is supported by 10 Fire Stations, 162 sworn personnel and 11 civilian support staff. The “Earn Your Shield” program was created by Fire Chief Chad Jones to recognize fire personnel who perform tasks out of the norm or display acts of bravery, kindness or generosity. “We are acknowledging our brave members who have worked hard to advance their careers within the department and to honor those who give tirelessly to the South Fulton community," Jones said. ...

South Fulton Police Department Reports Decrease in Violent Crime

31Jul

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Public Safety

South Fulton Police Department Reports Decrease in Violent Crime

According to a press release from the City of South Fulton, the rate of violent crime in the area is decreasing. Police say that an increased focus on the core issues at the center of violent crime has led to a decrease in the murder rate by nearly half. From January through June 2021, the city investigated 11 homicides. In the same timeframe this year, six murders have been reported – a decline of 45 percent. Detectives have made arrests in five of those cases. “Most violent crime stems from gang and drug activity,” said Police Chief Keith Meadows. “By focusing on these areas, we have been able to drive down violent crime by double digits in the previous three years.” From 2019 through 2021, South Fulton’s violent crimes – murder, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, theft, auto th...

National Night Out Brings Police and Residents Together

27Jul

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Events, Public Safety

National Night Out Brings Police and Residents Together

South Fulton will host National Night Out (NNO) on Aug. 2. The annual event, first introduced in 1984, is held in cities across the U.S. to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement and help cultivate a sense of community. “Cities and towns are excited to get the NNO party started,” said National Night Out creator, Matt Peskin, “Local coordinators are anxious to showcase their strong relationships with neighbors and first-responders. National Night Out is a celebration of neighborhoods who work year round to build safer, more caring communities.”Peskin started the event as a National Association of Town Watch initiative. Now in its 39th year, it's expected that the event will draw participation from more than 16,000 communities nationwide. Peskin and others hope ...

Operation Rolling Thunder Returns July 8 to Target Dangerous Drivers

29Jun

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Public Safety

Operation Rolling Thunder Returns July 8 to Target Dangerous Drivers

Operation Rolling Thunder returns to South Fulton Thursday, July 8 through Saturday July 10. The high visibility traffic enforcement campaign sponsored by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety focuses on reducing fatalities, injuries, and correcting dangerous driving behaviors. During the operation, motorists will see South Fulton police officers and troopers with the Georgia State Patrol monitoring high-traffic areas. According to a press release issued by the city, in 2020, South Fulton experienced 3,456 crashes and 18 fatalities. So far in 2021, South Fulton has experienced 1,681 crashes, 825 injuries, and 12 fatalities. “We are proud to partner with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety to make streets in South Fulton safer,” said Lt. Roxanne Shoemaker, head of South Fulton...

Human Remains Found, South Fulton and Atlanta Authorities Investigate

23Jun

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Public Safety

Human Remains Found, South Fulton and Atlanta Authorities Investigate

South Fulton Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division (CID) detectives are working with Atlanta Police Department (APD) Homicide/Adult Missing Persons Unit two investigate two separate cases involving human remains found South Fulton. On June 12, SFPD officers discovered what appeared to be human remains after responding to a vehicle fire in the 4100 block of Union Road. Less than a week later, officers discovered more remains on June 18 while responding to a fire on the side of the road on Jones Rd near Campbellton-Fairburn Rd. Preliminary investigations have revealed that both cases originated from incidents within the city of Atlanta. The victim's identities have not been released, pending identification from the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office and notificati...

South Fulton Firefighter to Deliver Pledge of Allegiance at Upcoming Presidential Inauguration

14Jan

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National News, Public Safety

South Fulton Firefighter to Deliver Pledge of Allegiance at Upcoming Presidential Inauguration

Captain Andrea Hall, a member of the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department, will deliver the Pledge of Allegiance at the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies on January 20, when Joseph Biden and Kamala Harris will be sworn in as President and Vice President of the United States. Captain Hall is the President of the International Association of Firefighters Local 3920 and a career firefighter with 28 years of dedicated service. She has served in the City of South Fulton Fire and Rescue Department and Fulton County Fire and Rescue Department since 1999. In 2004, she became the first African American woman in the county's history to be promoted to the rank of Fire Captain. The announcement of the inauguration participants was made today by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC). Father Le...

South Fulton Police Chief Tests Positive for COVID-19

9Oct

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Public Safety

South Fulton Police Chief Tests Positive for COVID-19

South Fulton Police Chief Keith Meadows has tested positive for COVID-19. He made the announcement earlier today via Facebook. He announced that his wife is also positive. "FB family, Tanya and I tested positive for COVID-19 today," he wrote in his social media post. "Please stay vigilant and continue to protect yourselves, this virus is horrible; however, we trust that God will deliver a healing hand." According to a press release issued by the City of South Fulton Police Department, Chief Meadows and his wife are quarantining and at home recovering. The department has notified the six employees who have been in close contact with Chief Meadows. The department's ability to provide police services to the city has not been impacted. "The public should not be concerned as to offic...

Traffic Enforcement Begins Today in Four School Zones

8Oct

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Public Safety

Traffic Enforcement Begins Today in Four School Zones

The City of South Fulton Police Department is reinstating efforts to control traffic speeds near schools as students begin to return back to class. Speed zone cameras are now operative at all schools within the city limits. Flashing lights alert driver reduced speeds, which are effective for an hour before and after school starts and for an hour before and after school ends. In several of the school safety zones, warnings only have been issued during the month of September. Live enforcement begins today at A. Philip Randolph Elementary, Sandtown Middle, Bethune Elementary, McNair Middle, Stonewall Tell Elementary and Westlake High. Violators will receive a summons and notice of their fine by mail. “We have an obligation as a city to look out for the safety and wellbeing of our ...

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