Atlanta Police Foundation

Last Thursday night, we gathered for the annual A Night in Blue, a celebration dedicated to recognizing the Atlanta Police Department's unwavering commitment to making Atlanta the safest large city in the nation! This special evening brought together our dedicated officers, their spouses, and our incredible supporters, all united by a shared mission: to make Atlanta safer. It was a night filled with laughter, connection, and camaraderie as we enjoyed delicious food, refreshing drinks, and the joy of building connections in a vibrant atmosphere. As the night unfolded, the energy was palpable—officers mingled with supporters, forging stronger bonds and sharing stories of their dedication to protecting our community. The evening culminated in an unforgettable concert, featuring Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts! Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of A Night in Blue! We raised $215,300 for Atlanta Public Safety programs! Make sure to check our Facebook to see all the photos from the night! #OneSafeCity #ANightInBlue #AtlantaPoliceFoundation #PublicSafety #CommunitySupport #TogetherWeCan #Atlanta  

This past weekend, our recruits and resident officers engaged in a community clean-up in the English Avenue neighborhood, exemplifying the spirit of community policing. Unity Place, an Atlanta Police Foundation initiative, not only provides affordable housing for recruits but also immerses them in the vibrant culture of Atlanta. We believe that building relationships within the community is essential to effective policing. Together, we are committed to serving and protecting the citizens of Atlanta. #APF #PublicSafety #CommunityPolicing

Join the Fight Against Crime in Atlanta When a crime is committed, law enforcement agencies spring into action, diligently searching for leads. This is where the Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) steps in! When law enforcement reaches out to APF to increase Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta (CSGA) rewards, it encourages community members to provide anonymous tips, which are crucial in helping detectives solve crimes. Thanks to our dedicated supporters, we raise funds to enhance programs that assist law enforcement in their efforts. With your help, we can provide increased rewards that incentivize tips, leading to criminals being located and arrested. Together with Crime Stoppers, we are creating a strong network of community involvement that directly contributes to making Atlanta safer. Let’s stand together! Share this message, stay vigilant, and remember that if you see something, say something. Your voice matters, and with the collaboration of APF, Crime Stoppers, and our community, we can ensure a safer Atlanta for everyone. #AtlantaPoliceFoundation #CrimeStoppers #CommunitySafety #TogetherWeCan #ProtectAndServe

Overall crime: Down 5% year-to-date APF Initiatives like the Operation Shield network provide over 12,800 surveillance cameras citywide. These cameras are connected to the APD’s Video Surveillance Center, providing real-time monitoring and police dispatch. About 80% of the system's costs are funded by the private sector. Violent crimes: Homicides are down 13%. APF initiatives like the At-Promise Youth Centers help to reduce juvenile crime and provide early intervention programs. The program aims to reduce crime by redirecting at-risk youth from negative behaviors toward productive activities. Property crimes: A slight 2% increase this week, but down 4% year-to-date. APF initiatives like the Secure Neighborhoods program place officers in high-risk areas. Officers serve as neighborhood ambassadors by engaging with the community and participating in neighborhood associations while patrolling their areas. Robberies: Robberies are down 17%. APF initiatives like the Crime Stoppers Atlanta program empower the community to report suspicious activity. Through an anonymous tip line, individuals can submit information about crimes, whether reported or unreported, and play a direct role in aiding criminal investigations. These statistics underscore the ongoing success of having public safety focused programming and public-private partnerships. Thank you to all who continue to support and make a real difference in keeping Atlanta safe.

The Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) recently hosted an engaging discussion led by Dave Wilkinson, APF President & CEO, with the Young Atlanta Leaders (YAL) Class of 2024, a dynamic group of 20-25 emerging business professionals and influencers. The conversation centered on APF’s key public safety programs and emphasized the importance of collaboration between YAL and city officials in building a safer Atlanta. During the session, Wilkinson highlighted transformative public safety initiatives, including the At-Promise Center, the Repeat Offender program, and the Public Safety Training Center. These programs serve as cornerstones of APF’s mission to reduce crime, support youth development, and improve training for Atlanta’s first responders. The discussion underscored the shared goal of creating a safer, more inclusive city through strategic partnerships and impactful programs. Young Atlanta Leaders (YAL) is a group committed to civic engagement, mentorship, and social impact. By learning about APF’s public safety efforts, YAL aims to support and advocate for community-driven solutions that address Atlanta’s safety challenges and empower the next generation of leaders to actively contribute to the city’s future. APF is excited to continue working with YAL and other community stakeholders to shape the future of public safety in Atlanta through meaningful dialogue and collaborative efforts. To learn more about APF’s public safety programs and initiatives, visit the link in our bio! #APF #YAL #PublicSafety #AtlantaLeaders #CivicEngagement #AtPromise #CommunityLeadership #CommunityOutreach

The Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) is proud to support the City of Atlanta's efforts to enhance public safety by helping recruit and retain qualified officers. Through our fundraising efforts, APF provides vital resources for officer support programs and incentives, including housing assistance, wellness initiatives, childcare incentives, training, and career development opportunities. Our initiatives play a crucial role in increasing officer recruitment while reducing retirements, ensuring the Atlanta Police Department remains strong and prepared to serve the community. We’re seeing promising results, with increased recruitment and fewer retirements compared to 2023. Every dollar raised helps create a safer Atlanta by enabling programs that attract and support officers committed to protecting our city. We are on a mission to make #Atlanta safer and the #1 destination for public safety professionals. For more information on our programs and incentives, visit the link in our bio. Interested in joining APD? Head to www.atlantapd.org #APD #APF #PublicSafety #CommunityFirst

Atlanta Police Officer Smith was the guest speaker at last week’s APAW graduation. During his speech to the 25 program graduates, he talked about him being from Miami and going from having a troubled upbringing shaped by family and gun violence to a successful career in law enforcement. His journey, highlights the power of mentorship and opportunity. Football, along with guidance from positive male role models, instilled in him the values of discipline, teamwork, and perseverance, which helped him turn his life around for the better. This mirrors the mission of the Atlanta Police Foundation’s At-Promise Centers, which provide Atlanta’s at-risk youth with the resources, support, and mentorship needed for educational, career, and personal growth. The APAW program offers young people ages 18-24 a way to turn their lives around with multiple career opportunities, just like Officer Smith. Officer Smith’s story exemplifies the impact these initiatives can have in steering young people toward brighter futures. To learn more about the At-Promise at Work program, please click the link in our bio! #APF #CommunityFirst #YearoftheYouth #Atpromiseatl

World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10th since 1992, raises global awareness about mental health, promotes well-being, and reduces stigma. Each year, a theme is highlighted, this year focusing on the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Our officers face immense challenges daily, from high-pressure situations to emotional trauma, and their mental health is just as vital as their physical strength. By providing support and resources like “Struggle Well,” we can help ensure they remain resilient, strong, and ready to protect our communities. The "Struggle Well" training program emphasizes transforming military and first responder culture rather than just adding another wellness initiative. Its focus is on normalizing these individuals' struggles and empowering them to navigate challenges effectively. The training helps participants better serve themselves, their families, communities, and the nation by teaching them to turn adversity into strength and growth. Together, let's break the stigma and prioritize mental health for those who protect and serve. To learn more about Struggle Well, visit their website at Struggle Well – Posttraumatic Growth (PTG) Training (bouldercrest.org). #WorldMentalHealthDay #OfficerWellness #StrongerTogether #MentalHealthMatters

A message from Venessa Harrison, President, AT&T Southeast Coastal States and Atlanta Police Foundation Board Member: Our first responders wear bravery and selflessness every day. But consistently responding to emergencies and traumatic incidents can leave them carrying emotional and mental burdens brought on by the grueling nature of their jobs. On #worldmentalhealthday, we’re reminded of this reality and the importance of providing our first responders with the mental health resources they deserve. Longtime AT&T employee Brian Sizemore has been doing just that, working daily to increase awareness of the mental health issues affecting our first responders. Earlier this year, Brian lost his son Lucas, a rookie police officer with the City of Atlanta Police Department, to suicide. Brian and his family founded the LUCAS Foundation in Lucas’ memory to help integrate mental health and wellness support into our #publicsafety communities and erase the stigma of asking for help. Brian and the LUCAS Foundation are helping reshape public safety’s culture around mental health and collaborating with organizations like the Atlanta Police Foundation to provide resources that encourage law enforcement to seek help when they need it. “At the Atlanta Police Department, our most important resource is the men and women in law enforcement who protect the Constitution and our communities. When we work to keep our personnel healthy, we are helping keep our citizens and communities safe.” Watch this video to hear more from Brian and Chief Schierbaum in their recent interview for the Boulder Crest Foundation's Struggle Well series.

The Public Safety Training Center for firefighters, police, EMS, and E911 is progressing well towards the ribbon cutting at the end of this year. The Center will train recruits and continue upskilling existing firefighters and police officers annually on life saving measures to respond to emergencies faster and more coordinated because seconds matter when someone is experiencing a medical emergency or victim of crime. De-escalation, anti-bias, cultural awareness, community policing, crisis intervention, mental health training, technical rescue, emergency vehicle operations, active shooter drills, and more will be trained on-site. Soon, our first responders won’t have to drive up to an hour away to train at sites outside of the city’s ownership. Our first responders will train at a beautiful campus where citizens will have access to trails around ponds and a community room for meetings and training on neighborhood watch, citizens police academy, CPR, and more. Here is a glimpse of a tour taken a month ago. Learn more at www.ATLtrainingcenter.com