APD Seeks Best-In-Class Re-Accreditation
This month, the Atlanta Police Department (APD) hosted assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in the department’s bid for re-accreditation.
To obtain re-accreditation, APD must show compliance to 446 rigorous best-practice standards. During three separate visits, the CALEA team – who were also public safety officers and personnel – worked closely with APD staff to assess the department’s commitment to providing the best policing possible to the city of Atlanta. The CALEA team reviewed hundreds of APD documents, conducted staff interviews, and joined a public forum.
The standards set by CALEA provide APD with a set of best-practice policies. It provides APD with a proven management system of written directives, sound training, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support decision-making and resource allocation.
Obtaining the rigorous CALEA accreditation was a top priority when Chief Richard Pennington joined the APD in 2002. Within 18 months, APD was rated and accredited as CALEA-compliant, a significant feat for a city of Atlanta’s size. “CALEA accreditation is a feather in the cap of any police agency that earns it. This is a very transparent process and one that we are proud to take part in,” said Assistant Chief Alan Dreher.
APD will find out if it has been granted its re-accreditation in March, 2008 at the annual CALEA conference in Atlanta.
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Don’t Let Your Christmas Go up in Smoke!
Checking the working condition of your smoke alarm is one way to ensure that your holiday plans don’t go up in smoke, say the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department.
Festive lights, hearth and home fireplaces, and constant cooking make this season one to watch for potential fires. ASAP (Atlanta Smoke Alarm Program) is AFR’s commitment to provide a smoke detector in every home in Atlanta, free of charge. Residents can request an alarm installation by visiting here. Throughout the year, AFR hit the streets of Atlanta to install new smoke alarms, and replace batteries where needed.
Having a working smoke alarm is just one way you can keep your family safe this holiday season. Be safe using these tips from the City of Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR).
- According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) approximately one tenth of one percent (0.12%) of residential fires involves a Christmas tree - both real and artificial. (National Association of Christmas Trees, 2007).
- Make sure that live trees are cut at the bottom
- Keep your tree well watered.
- Be sure your lights work properly-faulty wiring can cause fires!
- Keep candles away from your tree!
- Place your tree far away from your fireplace.
The City of Atlanta ASAP program provides working smoke alarms and fire prevention training to City of Atlanta residents. |
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Metro Atlanta Among Nation’s Most Walkable Cities
According to a recent survey by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think-tank, metro Atlanta ranks among the top 30 largest “walkable” urban areas.
Metro Atlanta ranked 14th on the list, which named Washington, D.C. as the most walkable large city in America. Other cities listed ahead of Atlanta included Boston, San Francisco, Denver and Portland.
Atlanta was selected based on pedestrian-friendly areas that combined elements of a live-work-play environment. In particular, the Brookings Institution survey isolated and applauded the following four areas: Atlantic Station, Buckhead, Decatur and Midtown.
The City of Atlanta has made affordable living and quality-of-life a priority for residents and visitors. Along with public and private partners, the City is redeveloping the BeltLine, the Peachtree Corridor, Fort McPherson and City Hall East which will all include employment, housing and cultural elements – critical elements to maintaining a thriving urban core.
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Help Define the Future of the BeltLine’s "Westside" Reservoir Park
The City of Atlanta and Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. are seeking community input into the development of the “Westside” Reservoir Park, a future jewel in the necklace of parks along the BeltLine.
The “Westside” Reservoir Park was the first major purchase made along the visionary BeltLine project. The park will occupy the former space of the Bellwood Quarry, located in northwest Atlanta.
At 150 acres – and with a potential to be up to 250 acres upon project completion - "Westside" Reservoir Park could become Atlanta’s largest City park. “Westside” will also be home of the City’s new drinking water reservoir - a proposed 2-billion-gallon reservoir which will provide critical water storage in the event of future droughts.
Atlanta BeltLine, Inc recently submitted a survey request to Atlanta stakeholders for input on park design and development. On Thursday January 24, 2008, Atlanta BeltLine, Inc will host a public meeting to discuss the “Westside” Park/Study Area Master Plan. The meeting will be held at Hands on Atlanta headquarters.
For more information on the Park/Study Area Master Plan meeting, call 404.979.2800. For more information on Atlanta BeltLine, Inc, visit www.beltline.org.
The new “Westside” Reservoir Park will be located within the former Bellwood Quarry. The new park will be redeveloped into one of the jewels along the BeltLine necklace of parks and trails. |
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There are just four days left to vote for Atlanta in the KaBOOM “Most Playful City USA,” contest! Atlanta is among 21 cities in the running for this title - and a $25,000 grant - which will be used to create dedicated playspaces throughout the city. Atlanta was chosen based on its recreation agenda. Voting ends Friday, December 21. Click Here to View the City’s Video Application and Vote!
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Rave Reviews!
- The City of Atlanta “Dear John” campaign to end child prostitution was recognized by the World Leadership Forum with a “Law and Order” award at a ceremony held in London, England. World Leadership Awards are presented annually to cities around the globe that demonstrate exceptional leadership to address major issues. Atlanta was one of 14 municipalities honored for exceptional government programming. In November 2006, “Dear John” launched to end an increasing epidemic of child prostitution and human trafficking in Atlanta. While Atlanta is not the only city facing this issue, Atlanta – with Mayor Shirley Franklin at the helm - chose to take a leadership position by addressing the issue head on in a public awareness campaign coupled with policy-oriented solutions and support for additional services for victims. “The real winners of this award are young girls on streets around the world who can be hopeful their abusers are no longer welcomed or ignored by the City of Atlanta,” said Mayor Franklin. The “Dear John” campaign has also won an Emmy Award from the Southeast National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and a Bronze Anvil from the Public Relations Society of America.
In 2006, Mayor Shirley Franklin sent a message to child sex predators “Not in my city!” with the launch of the “Dear John” child sexual exploitation and human trafficking. |
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- Every Tuesday from 8 - 11 am, the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) hosts a job fair for residents. Please visit the AWDA webpage at www.atlantaworkforce.org to fill out an online pre-application. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED and pass a background and drug screen. Applicants should be dressed in business attire and bring copies of resume to hand out.
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions,
click here.
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Weekly Features
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