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Public Safety

Authorities Investigate Arson at Two South Fulton Churches
Public Safety

Authorities Investigate Arson at Two South Fulton Churches

Local and federal authorities are investigating arson incidents at two churches in the City of South Fulton. On September 30, a suspect drove onto the property at Renaissance Church of Christ on Butner Road and launched a Molotov cocktail at the building. Just days later, someone attempted to set fire to the side entrance of The Enon Church on Enon Road. Neither church sustained significant damage. Local authorities contacted ATF and the FBI. A suspect or motive has not yet been identified. A hate crime has not yet been ruled out. A spokesperson for the South Fulton Police Department said that officers are patrolling churches in the evenings. It is advised that churches with cameras ensure that their equipment is operational and in use, and that church staff and members are vi...
South Fulton Passes No-Knock Warrant Resolution Honoring Breonna Taylor
Public Safety

South Fulton Passes No-Knock Warrant Resolution Honoring Breonna Taylor

At yesterday's regular meeting, South Fulton's City Council passed a resolution in honor of police shooting victim Breonna Taylor. The 26-year old EMT was shot eight times when officers executed a no-knock warrant and entered her home. Meanwhile, the target of the warrant lived miles away and had already been detained before the officers arrived at Taylor's residence. South Fulton's resolution does not completely ban no-knock warrants, but it does add voices to a chorus demanding justice for Taylor. It also brings additional attention to a public safety issue being debated across the nation. What Does the Resolution Accomplish Specifically?South Fulton's resolution calls out Taylor's death as "outrageous, tragic and senseless" and reaffirms the South Fulton Police Department's proto...
Benefit Ride for Officer Struck by ATV to Start on Old National
Events, Public Safety

Benefit Ride for Officer Struck by ATV to Start on Old National

A benefit ride is planned for Officer Maximillian Brewer on July 18. The Kingz of the South Motorcycle Club, City of South Fulton and the Old National Merchants Association have partnered to hold the event. Brewer was struck on May 30 by an ATV driven by 42-year old Avery Goggans during a protest in downtown Atlanta. Brewer required emergency surgery before being admitted to the ICU at Grady Hospital. He's since been discharged and is undergoing rehabilitation at Emory. Brewer, a father of four, has been with APD for 18 years and is a member of the department's motorcycle unit.  It is unclear if he will be able to return to work. Fundraisers are being held to assist him during his recovery. More than $200,000 has already been raised via a GoFundMe campaign. "Officer Brewer has...
Police Department Updates Technology with Holster Sensors and Drones
Public Safety

Police Department Updates Technology with Holster Sensors and Drones

The South Fulton Police Department is updating its body camera technology. Now, when an officer removes his or her gun from its holster, their body camera will begin recording automatically. South Fulton police officers' body cameras are also activated when police pull their patrol cars within a certain radius of their emergency 911 calls or if an officer is lying down or not in an upright position. A 2016 study published in Criminal Justice and Behavior found that complaints against police officers drop significantly when a body camera records an incident. According to a FOX 5 news report, South Fulton Patrol Units began using the holster sensors this week. "That's really important for us because as you can imagine those instances where an officer has to pull his weapon quickly,...
Search Continues for Missing South Fulton Student
Public Safety

Search Continues for Missing South Fulton Student

Earlier today, a family member of Leia Nisa Thomas confirmed that the 13-year old is still missing. She was last seen on June 1 on Washington Road in East Point, Ga. Thomas is 5'1 and 140 pounds. She may be in the company of an adult female. Anyone with information on her whereabouts should call 911 or the East Point Police Department at 404-762-2177. Photo: Leia Nisa Thomas
Edwards Accepts Obama’s Challenge, Will Host Discussion on Use of Force Policy
Public Safety

Edwards Accepts Obama’s Challenge, Will Host Discussion on Use of Force Policy

Former President Barack Obama recently issued a call to action for mayors, city councils and police oversight bodies to address police use of force policies. City of South Fulton Mayor William “Bill” Edwards says he's answering the call with a virtual town hall with Police Chief Keith Meadows and City Manager Odie Donald. The trio will address the South Fulton Police Department's use of force policy and solicit feedback from citizens on the issue today, June 22 at 6 p.m. “I am up for the challenge and committed to taking action,” said Mayor Edwards. “It is imperative that we examine our use of force policies with the community and have transparent conversations about policing. This town hall will do just that.” Obama's challenge to officials was issued in four parts, callin...
Curfew in Response to Regional Unrest Won’t be Imposed in South Fulton
Public Safety

Curfew in Response to Regional Unrest Won’t be Imposed in South Fulton

Two attempts to impose a curfew in South Fulton in response to regional civil unrest have failed. South Fulton officials met today to consider an ordinance to impose a temporary curfew resulting from unrest in Atlanta. Mayor William "Bill" Edwards, the sponsor of the legislation, made the decision to throw it out at the start of the meeting. The move was followed by a motion to approve an executive order to authorize Mayor Edwards to impose a curfew for up to 48 hours should instances of civil unrest break out in South Fulton in the next 30 days. The motion failed. Police Chief Keith Meadows first appealed to Mayor Edwards to draft the legislation after meeting with officials in Atlanta. He said his goal is not to overburden citizens with the curfew, but to focus on preparedne...
Double Murder Suspect Escapes Custody in South Fulton
Public Safety

Double Murder Suspect Escapes Custody in South Fulton

Update: According to the South Fulton Police Department, members of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Task Force apprehended Isaih Williams at a residence on Ira Street in Atlanta. Williams has been transported to the Fulton County Jail. The South Fulton Police Department is searching for a double murder suspect who escaped the precinct on Old National Highway on Monday evening. 18-year old Isaih Alexander Williams is suspected in the October 10 murder of two juvenile males at 5195 Old Bill Cook Road. Williams is also wanted on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm and burglary. Williams is described as 5-foot-7 and approximately 130 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with a red Air Jordan symbol, black pants and deep red Nike Foamposite s...
Fire Chief Broome Tapped for Georgia Municipal Association Role
Public Safety

Fire Chief Broome Tapped for Georgia Municipal Association Role

Today marks Fire Chief Freddie Broome's last day with the South Fulton Fire & Rescue Department. After 10 months in the position, he's been tapped by the Georgia Municipal Association as the new member service consultant serving District 3, the Atlanta metro area. Broome is highly respected throughout the state. He was named Fire Chief of the Year at the 2019 Georgia Fire Service Conference last September and recognized at the State Capitol earlier this year. His career in fire service spans nearly 25 years. "It was an honor to serve the members of the South Fulton Fire & Rescue Department and the great citizens of the City of South Fulton," said Broome. "Thank you for your support and encouragement." Since his arrival in South Fulton, Broome has implemented a cancer re...
Jones Named Interim Fire Chief
Public Safety

Jones Named Interim Fire Chief

Sterling Jones has been named interim fire chief. He joined the South Fulton Fire Rescue Department on Feb. 3 when he accepted a deputy fire chief position. Before coming to South Fulton, he was fire chief in Riverdale, Ga. His 26-year career also includes serving in the deputy chief role with the Augusta Fire Department for nearly five years, and 18 years with the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department where he rose to the rank of battalion chief. Jones earned a master’s degree in public administration from Columbus State University and a bachelor’s degree in fire and safety engineering technology from the University of Cincinnati. He also has two associate’s degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and City College of Chicago in fire and safety engineering. Jones is a graduate...

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