WHEREAS, In the past 5 years, the United States has seen an 8% increase in the number of gangs, and 11% increase in members and a 23% increase in gang-related Homicides; and
WHEREAS, in Fulton County alone for the year 2004, 4 defendants were charged with “participation in criminal street gang activity.”, but in 2014, 89 defendants were charged with “participation in criminal street gang activity,” which represents a 2,125% increase in criminal street gang activity; and
WHEREAS, similarly in Fulton County in 2004, only 1 defendant was charged with a gang related homicide, but by 2014, 24 defendants were charged with gang-related homicides; and
WHEREAS, ten years from now if this same pattern persists, 1,891 defendants could be charged with “gang activity” and 596 defendants will be charged with a gang-related murder; and
WHEREAS, according to cases indicted by the Office of Fulton county District Attorney, 17% of all Fulton County Homicides are Gang-Related; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlanta along with its partners from the county, state, and federal government need to work together in a collaborative forum to address the multi-jurisdictional issues of gang-related issues that are terrorizing our community; and
WHEREAS, this legislation will direct the City of Atlanta’s Police Department, as convener, to request that the following jurisdictions participate in the Metro Atlanta Task Force: Fulton, Dekalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton; and
WHEREAS, the City of Atlanta, as convener, will participate with a City representative from all of the entities, as applicable.
WHEREAS, each of these counties will be asked to designate a representative from the following itemized list to participate in the Metro Atlanta Task Force;
WHEREAS, due to the size of the membership of the Metro Atlanta Task Force, solely for the purposes of convening a meeting, receiving information, (including public comment), and conducting a discussion, a quorum shall consist of those members attending a meeting thereof; and
WHEREAS, for the purposes of taking all other official action, a quorum of the Metro Atlanta Task Force shall consist of one Chief of Police, District Attorney, Public Defender, School Superintendent, Chief Judge, Chief of Corrections/Jailer or their designees from no less than three of the member jurisdictions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, that the Metro Atlanta Task Force to Eradicate Gang Violence is hereby established.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Metro Atlanta Task Force to Eradicate Gang Violence shall include the following members:
· The Chief of Police for each jurisdiction or Designee
· The Chief of Police for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police or Designee
· The Superintendent of each jurisdiction’s Public School System or Designee
· The Director of Security for each jurisdiction’s Public School System or Designee
· Each jurisdiction’s District Attorney or Designee
· Each jurisdiction’s Public Defender or Designee
· The Chief Judge of each jurisdiction’[s Juvenile Justice System or Designee
· The Chief Judge of each jurisdiction’s Courts or Designee
· Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Atlanta Bureau or Designee
· A representative of the Georgia Department of Corrections
· A representative of each jurisdiction’s Jail or Detention Center
· A member of each jurisdiction’s Police Department’s Gang Unit or designee in a similar capacity
· A Gang Unit Prosecutor from each jurisdiction
· A representative from United Youth-Adult Conference II
· A representative of a Non-Profit involved in gang-related prevention activities
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, solely for the purposes of convening a meeting, receiving information, (including public comment), and conducting a discussion, a quorum of the Metro Atlanta Task Force shall consist of those members attending a meeting thereof.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, for the purposes of taking all other official action, a quorum of the Metro Atlanta Task Force shall consist of one Chief of Police, District Attorney, Public Defender, School Superintendent, Chief Judge, Chief of Corrections/Jailer or their designees from no less than three of the member jurisdictions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Office of Municipal Clerk is hereby directed to notify the above individuals and organizations to request that the names of their nominees be submitted to the Office of Municipal Clerk.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that members of The Metro Atlanta Task Force to Eradicate Gang Violence do not require confirmation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Atlanta Police Department and the Atlanta Police Foundation shall provide technical assistance and staffing to the Task Force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force shall elect a Chairman to preside over meetings and other officers as needed by the Task Force to conduct business.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Task Force shall submit a report to the full Atlanta City Council through an official communication to the Municipal Clerk that shall be read and filed;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this report shall be to the Mayor, President and Members of the Atlanta City Council and should address youth crime, gang violence, programming and policy changes of local jurisdictions, as well as any recommendations to submit to the District Attorney of each participating county.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this task force shall terminate in two years and shall terminate upon two years from the date of final passage by Council, unless otherwise extended by a Resolution of the Atlanta City Council.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that all resolutions and parts of resolutions in conflict are hereby rescinded.