On Council, Chairman English will work to create a safer, accessible, affordable, and educated Atlanta
Safer
Focus on community-first policing
Increase pay for police and fire fighters
Create partnership with Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta Police Foundation and City of Atlanta to reduce the number of repeat offenders and remedy the root causes of crime
Leverage new technology (cameras, predictive analysis, etc.) to improve crime prevention
Aggressively pursue owners of vacant/blighted properties and increase city resources to bring eyesore properties up to code, and out of the possession of squatters and public offenders
Pursue legislative solutions to make it easier for the City to prosecute slum lords
Partner with Atlanta Public Schools to assist in the repurposing of unused, surplus facilities for the benefit of community residents and neighborhood improvement
Accessible
Ensure that the $2.5 billion allocation for infrastructure and transportation spending is spent wisely, in collaboration with communities, and that plans are faithfully and transparently executed
Fully fund and staff the city’s traffic command center
Increase transportation options (light rail, bike lanes, walking paths, etc.)
Utilize technology to build smarter, complete streets that apply 21st century strategies to improve traffic flow (light synchronization, dedicated turning lanes, etc.)
Affordable
Make the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) a best in class agency that connects citizens of varying skill and education levels to Atlanta’s vast job opportunities
Partner with nonprofits and other organizations to create citywide job readiness offices for AWDA in communities with high unemployment rates
Develop a comprehensive, citywide affordable housing strategy
Invest in and build upon Atlanta’s position as a central hub for the technology and innovation and the arts and entertainment sectors to bring more access to jobs to local residents
Implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce homelessness that help Atlantans get back on their feet and on a path to self-sufficiency
Educated
Partner with Atlanta Public Schools to create a citywide, universal early education program
Create job training programs for adults that are aligned with current and projected job vacancies
Develop continuing education opportunities to close the skills gap and lower unemployment, placing a priority on parents of Atlanta Public School students
Release all of the deeds to Atlanta Public School owned properties, returning thousands in much-needed funds to children, teachers, and administrators of the school system