Atlanta Councilmember Keisha Sean Waites on why she voted against funding 'Cop City'

June 7th, 2023

Councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites listens during public comment on June 5, 2023 before voting no to funding the construction of a controversial public safety training center opponents call "Cop City." (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Atlanta city councilwoman Keisha Sean Waites is one of four members who voted against funding millions in taxpayer money to build the controversial police training facility in unincorporated DeKalb County.

The final 11-4 vote came at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, after nearly 15 hours of public comment opposing the project.

$31 million will be paid upfront to the private non-profit Atlanta Police Foundation for construction of the center opponents call “Cop City.” Another $36 million will be paid by the city as part of a 30-year leaseback to the foundation.

Councilwoman Waites joined WABE’s “Morning Edition” immediately following the vote to break down what concerns her about the voting process and what else she wished the council could have done with the total purse of $67 million.

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.