Atlanta City Council is on high alert after yet another shooting near Georgia State University (GSU) has left students and residents rattled. The recent incident, which took place late Saturday night, involved an a 25-year-old man who was shot and subsequently sought help near the old RaceTrac gas station on Piedmont Avenue. While the victim was not affiliated with GSU, the proximity to the campus has sparked concerns among the student body.
Addressing the incident and the surge in nearby violence, Atlanta City Council member Michael Bond commented during a public safety committee meeting, "A lot of the students in that particular area are very concerned for their safety with Georgia State being such an urban environment," as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. In response to worries, concerted efforts have been made to bolster security. "Consistently, APD is constantly in that area doing directed patrols," an APD officer stated, assuring ongoing vigilance in the vicinity.
This isn't an isolated case, as the same area near GSU has been a hotspot for crime, with reports of a 21-year-old man fatally shot just two weeks prior and a tragic shooting last October that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old woman. Atlanta News First records that GSU student Tiara Edeh expressed her concerns, saying, "So even with the RaceTrac closed and there’s still shootings. So, I guess the security just needs to tighten up. Level up. Do more cause yeah, they took an action and shut the RaceTrac down but there’s still another issue," illustrating the community's growing unease.
After the RaceTrac's closure due to safety and financial repercussions, GSU students are taking their safety into their own hands. As Masada Combs, co-founder of the group Outspoken GSU, told FOX 5 Atlanta, "The issue of violence around our campus is something that us students definitely take seriously." The university has responded by adding additionally officer monitoring and cameras, as well as rearranging building entrances and enhancing staff training, while APD officers continue to patrol the area.
With the issue escalating, the Atlanta City Council is gearing up to probe deeper into the security measures currently in place. Michael Bond shared his perspective with Atlanta News First, stating, "We’re going to ask the Atlanta Police Department exactly what they’re doing and how they’re coordinating with Georgia State police and how they’re going to better police that intersection." This discussion is anticipated to be a key focus in their next public safety committee meeting, as the city seeks more robust solutions to ensure the safety of GSU students and the surrounding community.
