Atlanta Police on Friday afternoon held a public safety press conference at Lenox Square, urging residents and visitors to plan ahead for the Independence Day holiday weekend and announcing a series of new measures for downtown celebrations.
APD Deputy Chief Charles Hampton Jr. told reporters the department will deploy its full patrol force across downtown, Buckhead, and the city’s major parks on Saturday, with extra officers assigned to the Peachtree Road Race route, Centennial Olympic Park, and Lenox Square.
“We’re going to be out in force,” Hampton said. “We want families to come out and enjoy the holiday. We just want to make sure everyone gets home safe.”
The department also announced a 9 p.m. curfew for unaccompanied minors in downtown Atlanta and in the area around Centennial Olympic Park from 6 p.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday. Minors found in violation will be picked up by officers and returned to a parent or guardian.
“We saw last year that some of the issues we had on the Fourth came from very young people who were out far past their bedtime,” Hampton said. “This is about helping families, not penalizing kids.”
The Peachtree Road Race route will have rolling street closures starting at 4 a.m. Saturday. The department urged residents who live along the route to plan ahead and avoid driving in the area until at least 11 a.m.
MARTA will run extended rail service Saturday and Sunday, including extra trains after the Lenox Square fireworks show.
Hampton also reminded residents that all consumer fireworks remain illegal in the City of Atlanta, though they are permitted in unincorporated Fulton County and many other parts of the metro area. He urged anyone who sees illegal fireworks being set off inside the city to call 911.
Anyone with information about safety concerns can call the non-emergency line at 404-658-6666 or submit a tip through the NotifyATL app.
