Residents in Midtown Talk Crime With Atlanta's Top Cop: Report

ATLANTA, GA -- Atlanta's top cop took questions from residents Monday night concerned about crime in the area, according to news reports.

People convened at Haygood Memorial United Methodist Church on Rock Springs Road to hear the mayor talk about the city's issues and what she's doing to address them.

Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields, who assumed her new role last month, took every question head-on and offered enlightening information about crime in the surrounding neighborhoods, which include Morningside and Lenox Park.

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"We have so many technological platforms available to us," she told the crowd when asked about the benefits of security cameras and license plate readers installed around the city. "The key is leveraging them and using them to their capacity. It's essential if we are going to continue to cut the crime rate,” Shields said, according to WSB-TV.

"The violent crime at gunpoint is really active right now, so that has people a little nervous," Edwin Marcial told WSB-TV. The Virginia-Highland-area resident said that he has heard of people being robbed while walking in the neighborhood -- and he is concerned.

"I just want to understand where things are (with the police department),” Marcial was quoted as saying.

Municipalities inside the perimeter have been hit by several high-profile crimes of late, including the scourge of gas station carkjackings and home invasions.

Not far from where the community meeting was held, businesses have been hit by what the police believe are serial robbers.

Read more: Robbery at Buckhead boutique 'was a nightmare,' manager says

Businesses have been a targeted in several incidents around northeast Atlanta. Last month, a worker at a popular Buckhead boutique was tied up and put in a dressing room while thieves ransacked the place.

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