90th Dogwood Festival kicks off with tickets and security
Atlanta’s oldest spring custom is again! The ninetieth Dogwood Festival has formally begun at Piedmont Park. We have every thing it’s essential know concerning the new $5–$10 entry charge, the safety plan, and the can’t-miss highschool artwork reveals.
ATLANTA – Atlanta police have considerably elevated safety at Piedmont Park for the Dogwood Festival following a deadly taking pictures on the park only one week in the past.
APD points closing briefing as competition kicks off
What we all know:
As the gates opened for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival on Friday, the ambiance was a mixture of colourful artist stalls and a heavy police presence. FOX 5 was on the scene because the Atlanta Police Department held a tactical briefing, signaling a “locked-down” strategy to the three-day occasion.
Increased safety after park tragedy
The backstory:
The heightened vigilance comes at a somber time. Just one week ago, Piedmont Park was the positioning of a taking pictures throughout “404 Day” celebrations that tragically claimed the lifetime of a 16-year-old woman.
In response, Chief Darin Schierbaum is drawing a tough line:
“It’s gonna be safe, and we’re gonna enjoy the time, and if you come to cause trouble, we’re going to hold you accountable.”
A ‘fortress’ within the park
What they’re saying:
Festival Executive Director Brian Hill emphasised that the safety plan is not simply concerning the competition grounds, however your complete neighborhood. APD is augmenting employees within the park, on the streets, and all through the residential neighborhoods close by.
“That’s going to be the safest place to be in Atlanta, period,” Hill stated, noting the shut collaboration between occasion officers and regulation enforcement.
Cracking down on visitors and chaos
By the numbers:
Beyond violence prevention, the APD is specializing in quality-of-life points that plagued the park final weekend. Chief Schierbaum detailed particular measures to deal with the inflow of tourists:
- Uniformed Presence: A surge of officers on foot to have interaction with the general public.
- Motorcycle Units: Additional motorbike officers are assigned to navigate visitors and monitor congestion.
- Ancillary Street Patrols: Officers are assigned to the realm surrounding the park to cease unlawful parking and gridlock.
Confidence for the weekend forward
What’s subsequent:
Officials are encouraging the general public to come back out and benefit from the spring break climate.
“The weather is going to be beautiful,” stated Chief Schierbaum. “I’m going to be there. You’re going to have a good time. You’re going to see the Atlanta Police Department.”
The Source: The info on this story was gathered from an APD tactical briefing attended by FOX 5, an interview with Festival Executive Director Brian Hill, and former FOX 5 reporting on the Piedmont Park taking pictures.
