The Atlanta Police Department (APD) confirmed on Monday that the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is slated to open in January 2025 despite years of protests, demonstrations and violence aimed at preventing its construction.
A video posted to the social media platform X by APD on Monday showed former Chief Rodney Bryant and former Assitant Chief Todd Coyt viewing the site of the safety training center. Bryant was previously instrumental in pushing for the center.
The video confirmed the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center will be “fully operational” by January 2025, with a grand opening scheduled later this year.
🌟 Exciting progress at the future home of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center!
Former Chief Rodney Bryant, alongside former Assistant Chief Todd Coyt, got an exclusive first look at the site. "Man, that looks good," Bryant remarked as they toured the facility. #APD🚔👮♂️ pic.twitter.com/NgogqbDJze
— Atlanta Police Department (@Atlanta_Police) April 15, 2024
“With utilities and electrical work in place, it’s clear this center will be state-of-the-art,” wrote APD in a second post to X. “Current Chief Darrin Schierbaum led the tour, highlighting Bryant’s pivotal role in advocating for its funding and construction. Stay tuned for the grand opening in December 2024!”
While the training center sparked intense protests over law enforcement’s plan to use the facility, the center’s website explains, “sworn officers, civilian responders, firefighters, EMS, and E-911 staff” will use the facility to train “locally and collaboratively, using modern philosophies and methodologies rooted in harm reduction.”
Construction of the public safety training center has continued despite opposition that is organized, well funded, and according to state prosecutors, at least partially criminal.
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr last year charged 61 activists who allegedly cooperated to support criminal activities aimed at stopping the facility. The indictment was filed months after a shootout between Georgia State Troopers and one activist in January 2023. The incident left a Georgia State Trooper wounded and the activist dead.
The man’s journals were eventually released as part of court proceedings, revealing the author claimed “killing cops is okay” in writings that seemed to advocate a violent revolt against law enforcement.
As the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center nears completion despite the opposition groups, the Sandy Springs Police Foundation is now reportedly raising money to build another facility that could cost $42 million.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Georgia Star News, The Virginia Star, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “Atlanta Public Training Center” by Atlantic Public Training Center.
