ATLANTA — The Atlanta City Council is considering legislation that would approve nearly $1.7 million in additional funding to address security at the site of the city's under-construction public safety training center.
11Alive checked out the status of construction Wednesday from the sky and the ground. Physical structures are nearing completion on the property in DeKalb County, and security is hard to miss. Atlanta Police are posted around the perimeter and at each entrance to the property.
Once completed, the center will be used for both police officer and firefighter training.
During an Atlanta City Council Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday, councilmembers considered and voted on a request to approve funds to address security at the property.
Chief Administrative Officer Marshall Freeman spoke on behalf of the Atlanta Police Department.
"This legislation that is before you speaks to security enhancements that are needed at the public safety training center site due to the continued threats of violence," Freeman said.
The request comes after several violent attacks at the property dating back to May 2022 when Molotov cocktails were thrown. More attacks against the property and Atlanta Police connected to the "Stop Cop City" movement followed.
"This is one-time funding as well that will allow us to scale back the physical presence of officers that are at the actual site protecting it each and every day and also put them back into service and the neighborhoods and communities," Freeman said of the ordinance councilmembers were considering.
There have also been attacks against construction companies building the facility where equipment has been destroyed.
"We sit in this space today where there are some changes and modifications that are needed to the physical site itself as well as some technology enhancements as well," Freeman said.
During the meeting, Freeman only broadly described the planned security enhancements. Councilmembers didn't ask for any specifics.
11Alive requested an interview with APD on Wednesday to ask for more specifics on the planned security enhancements and how many officers could return to the city's neighborhoods. The request was denied.
Freeman said if approved, forfeiture funds would be used to cover the expense, meaning there should be no additional expense to taxpayers.
Funding for the center has continued to increase and now sits above $110 million. The city is on the hook for $67 million, with the non-profit Atlanta Police Foundation covering the remainder.
City officials have previously said other recent increases in the price tag for the center are partially linked to security issues and attacks.
On Tuesday, councilmembers on the committee pushed the legislation ahead. The funding request will next need to be considered by the full city council for approval.