APD reports overall declines but flags shoplifting and a 420‑kilo crystal‑meth seizure

Summary

Deputy Chief DC Spain told the committee most crime categories are down over the prior seven days but shoplifting rose; he highlighted a federal partnership seizure of 420 kilos of crystal meth — described in the meeting as roughly $4.4 million worth by street estimate — and noted holiday enforcement and diversion numbers.

Deputy Chief DC Spain of the Atlanta Police Department presented seven‑day crime trends to the Public Safety and Legal Administration Committee on Nov. 24, saying most categories are down but shoplifting has increased and requires targeted work with retailers.

Spain told the committee that a Zone 6 operation working with federal partners recovered 420 kilos of crystal meth at a Custer Avenue location. "Just to put some context to it, this is, like, $10,500 per kilo. So this is $4,400,000 worth of drugs that won't be in our communities," Spain said. He described the seizure as a major interdiction carried out with federal partners.

On other metrics, Spain cautioned that certain assault totals can appear larger when an incident affects multiple people in a dwelling, and he said APD has deployed administrative officers in uniform to holiday details and is partnering with retailers to address shoplifting. He also reported the department has reached 25 diversions year to date for diversion programs.

Committee members thanked Spain and had no further questions during his presentation.