Town Hall Meeting

As KRS-One’s “Self-Destruction” plays throughout City of Atlanta’s old city chambers, members of the community settle into the meeting area. Tuesday night’s town hall meeting, hosted by V-103’s Ryan Cameron and Atlanta, Ga. Mayor Kasim Reed, is in response to the violence and chaos that ensued at Piedmont Park’s annual movie event Screen on the Green. In the first half hour of the screening, it was reported that several fight broke out, there was vandalism throughout the park.

However, no more than thirty minutes of the chamber doors becoming open to the public, there was uproar when several umbrellas were stolen from the audience members. The dispute created a tense atmosphere as the meeting started.

Mayor Kasim Reed and Atlanta police department’s interim Chief George Turner were on the meeting panel to discuss the specifics of the problems that took place two weeks ago in the park and answer any questions from community members.

“It was a new location, it was the event’s first time showing a major motion picture [Transformers 2] and there was only an expected attendance of 2,000 guests. There were more than 10,000 attendees on site. Security was adequate for what was expected, not unexpected,” Sheriff Turner explained.

Mayor Reed, whose platform for office was to decrease city crime, explained that he has fought for and spent close to $4 million to re-open the recently closed pools and recreation centers in the city. He believes that the re-opened locales, youth programming, and jobs for students after school will lower the increasing crime in the city.

“We must invest in the children and the generation coming behind us. I want to meet with everyone in this room personally that wants to do better for our kids.”

Screen on the Green with continue this week at Piedmont Park with a screening of “Dreamgirls”. The new improvements to security from the city include the Atlanta police department hired to patrol the venue and calling in back up resources when necessary to crowd size adjustments. Also, Nextel Direct walkie-talkies have been added to assist with communication between park staff and all officers. Staff from the Mayor’s office will be on site to help with city questions and concerns from movie-goers. 

KRS-One, Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Heavy D, Public Enemy, Stetsasonic
"Self-Destruction"