ATLANTA — Atlanta's Oakland City neighborhood has a lot going for it, according to real estate agent Michele Murphy. In the area once known for middle-class working minority families, one can now find younger couples, single parents and more diversity as the area develops.
"We're so close to the Beltline," Murphy explained. "There's a lot of really exciting breweries in this area. But it's an area in transition."
At a prominent gas station in the area, a Texaco, Atlanta Police data shows officers have responded to at least four shootings at the location on Lee Street in the past calendar year.
In the latest shooting from Wednesday night, police said three people were hurt. The gas station attendant inside told 11Alive he and another employee witnessed the shooting that happened in the parking lot around 7:30, saying at least 30 gunshots were fired. Police have not yet made any arrests in the shooting.
Atlanta City Councilman Michael J. Bond said the city voted to require gas stations to have surveillance cameras as a crime-prevention measure. While the Texaco does have visible cameras, he wants to see more cameras there -- and at other locations plagued with crime.
Bond added that the cameras installed would protect those who hold licenses from "unwarranted scrutiny."
"If people are cooperating, and we know an owner of a property or package license is doing everything they can to prevent crime in the area, that aids them,” he explained.
But above reacting to the crime, Bond said implementing conflict resolution classes in schools and community centers could help curb future incidents in the area before they might unfold.
"It's very upsetting that the first response for people when they're having a frustrating conversation or dealing with another individual is to reach for a gun," Bond said. “This seems to be something that’s becoming part of the culture, where people try to respond violently to resolve their issues."
In a neighborhood in transition, Murphy said the solution starts with meeting basic needs, which includes affordable housing.
"This is not an Oakland City challenge. This is not a West End challenge. This is not an Atlanta challenge. This is a United States challenge when it comes to creating access to enough jobs, housing, nutritious food, to alleviate certain levels of poverty, to allow for certain levels of quality of life," Murphy said.
"When people have a comfortable, joyful and safe place to stay, there's less reason for violence, one would hope."