Reed to unveil comprehensive public safety plan
State Sen. Kasim Reed, a candidate for Atlanta mayor, will unveil his comprehensive public safety blueprint later today at the Chevron station on Whitehall Street where former professional boxer Vernon Forrest was killed this weekend.
This is what Reed had to say Monday about Forrest’s death:
There’s a crisis in this city and no one knows that better than the family of Vernon Forrest. Vernon, a former professional boxer, was one of Atlanta’s greatest gifts and represented this city well both in and outside the ring. My family and I extend our deepest condolences to the Forrest family.
This is not an isolated incident. Every day, these types of tragedies are happening across Atlanta and it is reflective of a larger problem that affects all of us. The senseless acts of violence plaguing our communities are simply outrageous. Our nightly news casts have become filled with stories of property crimes, home invasions, assaults, and murders of the innocent, and even the robberies of Atlanta City Council members.
Our very quality of life is at stake as we search for ways to improve public safety and return a sense of security to every Atlanta resident and visitor. Ending the furloughs of every single police officer and fire fighter was the first and most important step. But, we can and must do more to put an end to this crisis.
Reed will be joined Wednesday by Atlanta native and former professional boxer Evander Holyfield, along with State Sens. Vincent Fort and Nan Orrock and State Reps. Kathy Ashe and Rashad Taylor.
The press conference will begin at 1 p.m. at 490 Whitehall Street SW.