Atlanta Residents Grapple with Escalating Crime Concerns

Amidst rising crime rates, Atlanta residents express their escalating fears for personal safety, citing a decline in security across once-safe neighborhoods and a surge in violent incidents.

Atlanta, the bustling capital of Georgia, has been grappling with a significant increase in crime, leaving residents feeling uneasy and questioning their safety within the city limits.

Chelsea, a long-time Atlanta resident, shared her harrowing experiences with Fox News Digital. "It's really rough out here," she lamented. "It's really scary out here." Chelsea believes the crime rate has skyrocketed, leaving her with an overwhelming sense of insecurity. "The old Atlanta—it used to be more safe than the Atlanta now," she added. "It used to be certain areas where you go you feel safe, now its everywhere you don’t feel safe. Even in the nice neighborhoods, you don't feel safe."

Atlanta Residents Grapple with Escalating Crime Concerns

Chelsea's concerns are echoed by Avery, a gentleman who accompanied her for the interview. "I don’t feel safe in my own city. I don’t," he asserted. "I’m a life-long resident, born and raised in Atlanta. It's not the same city it used to be."

Audrey, a Georgia State student, voiced similar sentiments. "Crime is more of a problem now than it was four years ago," she said. "It's gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic." When asked if she feels safe in Atlanta, she replied with a resounding, "Not really."

Atlanta Residents Grapple with Escalating Crime Concerns

Audrey expressed empathy for small business owners, recognizing the terror they must endure. "I can imagine they would be terrified to come to Atlanta," she said. "I’m used to shootings happening … overtime you’re numb to it."

A recent study by the Department of Justice corroborates these concerns, revealing a dramatic increase in violent crimes during the Biden-Harris administration. The survey found that total instances of reported violent crimes per 1,000 individuals aged 12 and over climbed from 5.6 in 2020, when Trump was still in office, to 8.7 in 2023.

Atlanta Residents Grapple with Escalating Crime Concerns

However, not all Atlanta residents share the same level of pessimism. Marcus, who moved to Atlanta for work, believes that the crime situation is comparable to other cities. "You have your good parts. You have your bad parts," he said. "I feel as if everything could require improvement, but, it is what it is in terms of crime."

Lamar, a student at Georgia State University, also expressed a moderate view. "I think it's been moderate," he said.

Atlanta Residents Grapple with Escalating Crime Concerns

Marcellus, another student, acknowledged the fluctuating nature of crime in the city. "Sometimes it's OK. Sometimes it's a lot worse than others," he said. "It’s kind of mediocre right now. There’s a lot more scams going on. There’s more online scams. Not too much crime just out and about."

As the debate over crime in Atlanta continues, residents grapple with the reality of heightened insecurity. The city's reputation as a bustling hub with vibrant neighborhoods is now overshadowed by concerns for personal safety, leaving residents yearning for a return to the days when Atlanta truly felt like home.