Despite a nationwide trend that saw an overall reduction in violent crimes, Atlanta actually reported more violent crimes in the first six months of 2019, compared to the first six months of 2018. According to the FBI, the data is based on information from more than 14,000 law enforcement agencies and covers violent crimes that occurred from January - June 2019.
Violent crimes include robberies, aggravated assault, shootings, stabbings, rape, and murder. In Atlanta, there were 2,004 violent crimes that were reported in the first six months of 2019 – up from the 1,947 that were reported in the first six months of 2018.
While the data shows there were fewer cases of rape and robbery in Atlanta for the first six months of 2019 compared to the first six months of 2018, there were five more murders and over 100 more cases of aggravated assault in 2019.
What are we supposed to make of all this?
Atlanta Continues to Have a High Violent Crime Rate
Atlanta’s annual violent crime rate per 1,000 residents is 7.99, which is more than double the national median of 3.27. According to data from NeighborhoodScout, Atlanta’s annual violent crime rate can be broken down as follows:
- Murder – 0.18
- Rape – 0.57
- Robbery – 2.30
- Assault – 4.94
Compared to the national average:
- Murder – 0.05
- Rape – 0.43
- Robbery – 0.86
- Assault – 2.47
These numbers are staggering, and while there are many factors that contribute to this high violent crime rate in Georgia’ state capital, there’s one that often goes overlooked.
How Negligent Security Plays a Role
Negligent security is a form of premises liability that involves a violent crime or attack occurring on someone else’s property. A lot of criminals are opportunistic, which means if landlords, businesses and property owners don’t take reasonable measures to ensure the safety of those on their premises, people can suffer serious harm.
Common forms of negligent security include:
- Poor lighting
- Lack of fencing and other barriers
- Broken doors, windows, gates, and locks
- Lack of and/or poorly trained security guards
- Failure to install security cameras/surveillance system
- Improper monitoring of security cameras/surveillance system
- Installing security cameras that don’t work to give a false sense of security
- Failure to take adequate measures when a property is in an area with a high crime rate
- Failure to increase security following recent crimes in that area
Negligent security can happen anywhere, but some of the most common places where these types of cases occur are:
- Nightclubs and Bars
- Restaurants
- Shopping Malls
- Retail Stores
- Hotels/Motels
- Apartment Complexes
- Office Buildings
- Parking Lots/Parking Garages
- College Campuses
- Grocery Stores/Supermarkets
- Gas Stations
- Bank ATMs
It doesn’t matter where the violent attack took place – if you were injured or seriously harmed on someone else’s premises because the landlord or property owner didn’t take adequate measures to keep the property safe, you may be able to pursue a negligent security claim.
Demand Justice with George S. Johnson
If you or a loved one’s been injured on someone else’s property and the owner or manager could have taken reasonable steps to prevent it, you should strongly consider discussing your legal options with Attorney George S. Johnson.
While the person who committed the violent crime will likely face criminal charges, it’s important to make a negligent property owner answer for the role they played in your attack, as well.
Through a negligent security claim, you may be able to recover compensation for:
- Your medical expenses
- Your lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Replacement services, such as care for your children and housekeeping
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death (for immediate family members of those killed in fatal attacks)
Contact the Law Office of George S. Johnson for a free and confidential case evaluation. Our law firm serves clients in Atlanta and throughout Georgia.