Georgia Speaker: State Study To Look At Atlanta Rising Crime

House Speaker David Ralston announced that he would appoint a study committee to examine violence in Atlanta, with the group likely reporting before the 2022 legislative session whether the state should take action.

David Goldman / Associated Press

Georgia’s speaker of the House wants to study whether the state should intervene in policing the city of Atlanta, saying levels of violence in the state’s largest city and capital have become intolerable.

House Speaker David Ralston announced Thursday that he would appoint a study committee to examine violence in Atlanta, with the group likely reporting before the 2022 legislative session whether the state should take action.

“Atlanta has a crime problem, and it doesn’t seem to be able to bring it under control,” Ralston told reporters. “Sadly, the facts paint a chilling reality. Not only is crime on the rise in every corner of this city, but we are losing the fight against crime.”