Atlanta leaders to probe what went wrong during 404 Day events
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Atlanta leaders will look into what could have been done differently during 404 Day festivities after a teenager was fatally shot at Piedmont Park.
Driving the news: The City Council's Public Safety/Legal Administration Committee approved a resolution for an "emergency, cross-departmental study" and to establish an advisory committee made up of local stakeholders.
- The study will review the event permitting process, public safety response, traffic management and impacts to residents, neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Zoom in: The 404 Day Advisory Committee will include mayor-appointed members, the council president, public safety agencies and affected neighborhood groups — and will recommend best practices.
Catch up quick: Tianah Robinson, 16, was killed and a 15-year-old girl was wounded in a shooting reported around 9pm Saturday, April 4 at Piedmont Park.
- Atlanta police previously said detectives believe about four people coming from different areas of the park were responsible for the gunshots.
- Police have not made an arrest in the shooting, and a $15,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible.
Friction point: After the shooting, residents on social media raised concerns that the city was not prepared for the crowds and the streets around the park were gridlocked with motorists, Capital B Atlanta reports.
- The Midtown Neighbors Association said in a statement its group, along with NPU-E, voted to deny the 404 Day event application at the park.
- The organization also said it's lobbied for changes to the permitting process that "balance events and current community needs."
- However, Bem Joiner, founder of Atlanta Influences Everything and part of the 404 Collective, told Capital B that his fellow co-organizers were being unjustly targeted. He said the fatal shooting followed an event they had no role in planning.
- The Piedmont Park event, Joiner told Capital B, was organized by 808Fest and had no ties to the 404 Collective.
The intrigue: The crowds at the festival also led some to compare it to Freaknik, the notorious spring break gathering shut down in 1999, and to call on the city to relocate the 404 Day festival.
What's next: The resolution has to be adopted by the full City Council, which could be done as early as its May 4 meeting. Once approved, a final report will be drafted within 180 days.