safety
Latest public safety stats in Atlanta show fewer robberies but 20% increase in assaults
By Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 16, 2026
· 1 min read
The Atlanta Police Department’s latest presentation to the city council about public safety showed that the number of homicides was down compared to last year.However, the report form APD showed that while violent deaths were down, the number of aggravated assaults were up 20% compared to 2025.Th...
Key takeaway The number of sexual assaults compared to last year had no change, with 55 reported year-to-date in 2026 and 55 reported in 2025.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The mixed public safety report from the Atlanta Police Department presents a complex challenge for city leaders, as they must balance the positive trend of decreasing property-related crimes with the alarming rise in violent crimes against persons. The 20% increase in aggravated assaults is particularly concerning, and officials will need to scrutinize the data to identify underlying causes and develop targeted strategies to address this issue. The fact that homicides are down is a welcome trend, but the lack of change in sexual assaults and the increase in overall violent crimes against persons suggests that more work needs to be done to ensure public safety. As the city council reviews the report, they will likely focus on allocating resources to support community-based initiatives and policing strategies that can help reduce violent crime and improve overall safety in Atlanta's neighborhoods.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Atlanta Police Department’s latest presentation to the city council about public safety showed that the number of homicides was down compared to last year.However, the report form APD showed that while violent deaths were down, the number of aggravated assaults were up 20% compared to 2025.Th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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