ATL Training Center: $200K Reward Offered In Alleged Arsons

ATLANTA — A $200,000 reward is being offered in connection with 21 fires that have been ignited in protest of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, causing nearly $10 million worth of damage across four states, including Georgia, police said Thursday.

Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum said at a press conference local, state and federal authorities have been investigating several attacks from those who oppose the training center, also known as "Cop City." The ongoing battle between protestors and law enforcement has lasted longer than a year.

The FBI, the Georgia Arson Control Board, the Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are offering the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arson suspects.

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"It is important that the citizens understand that if this individual or (these) individuals aren't caught that they will likely strike again and that they are impacted by these arsons," Schierbaum said.

Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King, who graduated from the Atlanta Police Academy in 1985, attended the press conference in support of the local agencies.

He noted the impacts of recent fires on construction equipment spreads to the families of the workers who depend on the project for money.

"Atlanta's been waiting for a permanent world-class training center for 30 years," King said.
"Atlanta deserves to have this training center so our officers are not trying to figure it out on the streets with our citizens when they're trying to solve the key problems."

Schierbaum added no one has died in the fires, and said construction at the training center is on schedule.

Anonymous tips can be made via Crime Stoppers, (404) 577-8477.

Timeline of Alleged Arsons

Most recently, he said a fire sparked in November in Gwinnett County, burning construction equipment.

Additional construction equipment belonging to a McDonough Boulevard contractor was the target of three fires in April, July and October, Schierbaum said. He noted the equipment was not linked to the training center.

During Independence Day weekend, Atlanta Police facilities were the focal point of two attacks during what was called the "Week of Action."

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Atlanta Fire Chief Rod Smith said at the time a fire at the APD's Southside Industrial precinct, where eight patrol motorcycles were damaged, was being probed as an arson.

Schierbaum said at the time the intent was to set all 40 of the police motorcycles on fire. The motorcycles belong to APD, MARTA Police and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.

An hour before the Southside attack, an attempt to set the APD's Memorial Drive facility on fire was thwarted by a citizen, Schierbaum said in the past. The precinct patrols the Atlanta BeltLine.

The windows of multiple police vehicles were broken into, he said, adding the goal was to set the vehicles on fire.

Schierbaum said Thursday a Cameron Madison Alexander Boulevard youth center was the target of the first alleged arson in May 2022. He said the suspects believed they were attacking the Atlanta Police Foundation, which will oversee the training center.

He added the protestors have assumed credit for the fires.

"The next fire could cost someone their lives," Schierbaum said.

What We Know About the Continuing Clash

The training center has been at the forefront of a battle between law enforcement and protesters who are against the building of the East Atlanta center for environmental concerns. Atlanta city officials have promised to protect the forest in the building of the center. The proposed site is near Key and Constitution roads.

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The property, which will benefit Atlanta Police and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, will sit on land that spans 385 acres and is owned by the City of Atlanta near Intrenchment Creek, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in the past.

According to the Atlanta Police Foundation, part of the purpose for the center is to promote morale and retention, as well as embrace police reform and cultural sensitivity.

Protesters have been clashing with police over the training center's construction and vying to secure the forest on the land. The protests turned deadly the day of the Jan. 16 clearing operation during which Manuel Paez Teran, who used they/their pronouns and was known as Tortuguita, was killed in a police shooting.

Six Georgia State Patrol troopers accused in the fatal shooting will not be charged, according to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office.

At least 60 people were arraigned on Nov. 6 after being accused of participating in violence at the training center. Police have said in the past those arrested have largely been from other states though few Georgia residents have faced charges in connection with the violence.

The Atlanta City Council voted on June 6 with an 11-4 vote to approve construction for the public safety training center, the Atlanta Journal Constitution previously reported. Taxpayers in the City of Atlanta will allocate $67 million toward the center, according to the outlet.

Information about the public safety facility is available here.