Monthly Archives: August 2016

The Atlanta Police Department is asking for leads that will help them find a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run incident.

The incident occurred on Aug. 27 at McDaniel and Glenn streets.

“The preliminary investigation showed pedestrian Donshay N. Brown was walking North on McDaniel street along with her male companion Randy J. Miller,” the report from the Atlanta Police Department says. “Pedestrian Brown attempted to cross McDaniel Street and was struck by a possible Grey Dodge Charger that was traveling North on McDaniel Street.  The suspect vehicle fled the scene of the collision and a look out was placed over the radio. Pedestrian Donshay N. Brown was transported to Grady in Critical Condition. Family members were present at Grady Hospital. Charges are anticipated in this collision.”

Police are looking for a grey 2005 or 2006 model Dodge charger with front end damage. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact police at 404-765-2808, extension 128.

In more than three years since it was created, the Beltline’s PATH force unit has responded to 18 crimes committed in its jurisdiction. Only three crimes have occurred so far in 2016, the Atlanta Police Department reports.

The Atlanta Police Department PATH Force unit was launched in July 2013. It has 15 officers, two sergeants and one lieutenant. They patrol the area around the Beltline seven days a week, with one day shift and one evening shift, according the Lt. Jeff Baxter, who heads the unit.

Crime statistics provided by the APD show officers in the unit issued charges for two counts of disorderly conduct, two counts of vandalism, three counts of larceny theft, and one count of marijuana possession. There were a few more serious charges, including an armed robbery and a sex offense over the 3-year period.

The Path Force unit patrols the Eastside Trail, West End Trail, and the Northside Trail, as well as interim hiking trails and the Southwest Connector Trail, according to information on the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. website. It also patrols nearby parks such as the Historic Fourth Ward Park, D.H. D.H. Stanton Park, Boulevard Crossing Park and Piedmont Park.

The positions for the unit were created after APD received a $1.8 million U.S. Department of Justice COPS in 2012. As required by the federal grant, the officers are all military veterans.

The APD does not have a specific line item for the Beltline unit, so it is unclear how much it costs to fund the PATH force unit on a yearly basis.

Their precinct on Memorial Drive is owned by Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. and leased to the APD for $1 a year, Baxter said in an email.

The unit primarily patrols on foot and by bicycle. A few weeks ago, the city of Atlanta announced they were providing five electric vehicles for the Beltline which will be used by the PATH Force unit, as well as other city departments.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed’s office says the city is partnering with GE to develop state-of-the-art policing in the city.

GE plans to invest $1 million into the project, a press release from the city says.

The money will be used to create, “enhanced public safety strategies, specifically focused on leadership development and culture training.”

The best-in-class policing model will consist of  “data analysis and enhanced training” the press release says.

“Today’s announcement marks a significant step forward in strengthening our community policing efforts,” Reed said in the press release. “Our officers need enhanced training and capabilities to build community trust and improve as a police force. GE is one of the world’s leading companies, and when I asked for support, they responded without hesitation. I cannot thank our partners at GE enough for joining us in this essential partnership.”

The press release notes that APD has begun implementing a “Blueprint for Public Safety” that is based on recommendations of the White House’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

“In support of this plan’s implementation, APD and GE will jointly develop platforms that are transferable and sustainable,” the press release says. “Areas of focus include enhanced training methods, including the use of digital tools, improving data collection and analytics and leadership development and culture change practices.”