keith meadows Archives - South Fulton Observer

Police Department to Activate School Zone Cameras Aug. 8

3Aug

By cosfobserverNo Comments

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 ...

South Fulton Police Department Reports Decrease in Violent Crime

31Jul

By cosfobserverNo Comments

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

By cosfobserverNo Comments

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 ...

Police Chief Reports Growing Force, Decrease in Crime

5Aug

By cosfobserverNo Comments

Public Safety

Police Chief Reports Growing Force, Decrease in Crime

When the newly formed city of South Fulton prepared to transition the police department over from Fulton County, officials thought that most officers would make the move. But a decision by the county to maintain a small department to patrol the Fulton Industrial corridor left the new city with a fractured force and several resource gaps. But just over a year later, the department has nearly been made whole. Under the leadership of Police Chief Keith Meadows, the department has expanded and is being restructured to tackle the challenges of today, and anticipate the city’s future needs. At a recent townhall meeting hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Mark Baker, Chief Meadows touted a number of developments in his department, including 49 percent growth in personnel. The growth of the departmen...

Councilman khalid to Moderate Panel on ‘Modern Policing’ during Summer Block Party

11Jul

By cosfobserverNo Comments

Government, Public Safety

Councilman khalid to Moderate Panel on ‘Modern Policing’ during Summer Block Party

Councilman khalid kamau's monthly summer block party series continues this Friday, July 12 at Creel Park (2775 Creel Road) at 7:00 p.m. The event will include live music, food trucks and an outdoor screening of "The Hate U Give." Based on the New York Times-bestselling novel by Angie Thomas, the film centers on a teen who witnesses the fatal shooting of her friend at the hands of police. In addition to outdoor screenings, each "South Fulton Summer" block party also features a community conversation on the themes in the films. This week, Black Lives Matter activists and Police Chief Keith Meadows will participate in the panel discussion on modern policing. Parking at Creel Park is free but limited. Additional free parking is available at Creel Park C.M.E. Church (2750 Creel Road)...

South Fulton Police Department Celebrates Milestones, Growth

16Apr

By cosfobserverNo Comments

Public Safety

South Fulton Police Department Celebrates Milestones, Growth

Just over a year after its launch, the South Fulton Police Department is celebrating key milestones and significant growth in the size of its force. When the police department transitioned in late March of 2018 from Fulton County to the City of South Fulton, it was comprised of just 85 sworn officers. To date, the police force has grown by more than 50 percent. As of March 25, according to Police Chief Meadows, the department was down to its last 16 vacancies with 15 candidates scheduled to go before the hiring board. Aggressive recruiting methods have helped the department to increase its gang unit, narcotics unit and court service section. An intelligence unit has been created to analyze crime trends under the COMPSTAT methodology. And Chief Meadows has expressed that he will a...

Pin It on Pinterest