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'Take off the doors if you have to' | Atlanta Police urge parents to watch tabs on kids to help combat gun violence

According to officers, last year's initiative lead to a 29% decrease in homicides.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department announced year two of its "Operation Heatwave" initiative in an effort to combat gang activity within the city.

According to officers, last year's initiative led to a 29% decrease in homicides, a 26% decrease in aggravated assaults and a 14% decrease in robbery.

In addition, the department noted it has seen a 24% decrease in violent crime since this time last year.

As part of this year's operation, police plan on targeting areas where they are seeing repeat weapon offenses and a high concentration of gangs, giving officers the best likelihood of getting guns off the streets.

However, there were also repeat calls for parents to keep a watchful eye on their children.

APD officials continuously listed resources available within the city to keep youth occupied during the summer, from camps to job opportunities.

Parents were also encouraged to perform administration checks, examining their homes and child's rooms for possible weapons, stating at one point to "take off the doors if you have to."

Police also touched on the subject of curfews, which has already been a discussion on Atlanta City Council.

Officers noted that while curfews are certainly a tool used to keep children safe, in the end responsibility falls on parents, adding "we're going to take them home and we're going to cite the parents for parental responsibility."

Finally, Atlanta Police touched on the issue of gang recruitment and new law going into effect on July 1 that will press charges on anyone targeting kids for such purpose.

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