I find these two recent incidents really concerning. We are told never to walk home alone. There's safety in numbers. But in both these incidents, couples were attacked. Can we walk on the streets late at night at all?

Ugh -- this one hurts because it's one of my favorite intown spots. My family regularly goes to Across the Street for dinner and also the awesome little Market next to it.

Yes they say there is safety in numbers, but I follow these crime reports from all news sources and I would say that at least half or more pedestrian robberies include at least 2 victims. And not all of them are late at night. As we've seen from all the Midtown robberies the past couple years, many of them have taken place in the early evening hours. Last year a group of 4 people were walking on busy McLendon Ave, going to dinner in little 5 and were robbed by two men. And it was only around 7 pm!

The fact of the matter is, this kind of crime will continue to deter people from wanting to live in the city. Why pay high prices for your home and high property tax when you are not safe out in your own neighborhood? These guys are killing the lifestyle that we love of walkable, safe neighborhoods.

I do think the APD is very understaffed. However the more direct problem with Midtown and O4W is Boulevard corridor. From the arrest reports that I've read from the robberies in Midtown and O4W, a great many live along Boulevard. They can easily walk over, commit crimes and come right back. Unfortunately the city of Atlanta does not have the power to raze these project like they've done most other ones in the city. Here is an interesting article on the situation there if you have not read it.
http://clatl.com/atlanta/down-on-boulevard-positive-change-might-finally-come-to-atlantas-lawless-street/Content?oid=1280106

I remember this when It came out. I kept thinking even though it's not technically housing projects, it's a de facto project. I have waited at traffic lights - during the day no less - on the days I have to use Boulevard and saw drug deals go down with APD cruisers stopped at the light next to me. I figured the dept. is just overwhelmed. It looks more and more like a slum each day. Section 8 or no Section 8, Georgia is a Red State, state's rights and all. Seems to me the city could make a case for citing that stretch as blighted and take it by eminent domain.

"I know. It's unnerving to think you have to feel like you have to be on guard 24-7."
No, it's called living in a city. Other than writing inflamatory headlines, what are you doing to help? When you see drug dealers, do you call 911? Do you really want the city/state to invoke eminent domain?

The CLoaf article on Wingate is now 2+ years old.
Has Wingate held any of the then-promised meetings with O4W residents/groups about their then-redevelopment plans?
I've not heard a whisper, except a Wingate employee defending the company when CBS 46 went after them for miserable conditions, after a resident called the tv station for help (she alledged (sp) Wingate only does repairs before HUD inspections).
I know Wingate's six or so contracts with HUD for Bedford Pines runs thru 2019, but contracts can be broken if the motivation exists.
Can anyone update -?

Well, the hillbilly meth dealers in rural GA dont affect my Quality of Life in the Midtown area where I work & play...we ALL know who the criminal element is...quit playing the POLITICALLY CORRECT BS game!!!

Despite the idiotic racism, 'N' is right about arming ourselves. The simple fact is that the cops can not and will not be there to protect you. For the most part, the patrolman's job anymore is basically to fill out paperwork for insurance companies. People prey on our neighborhood because we're seen as easy targets, and for the most part, we are.

Deciding to carry a weapon isn't a choice to be made lightly and I'm not trying to convince anyone to go that route. But it is a choice I wish more people would make.

N, hate to inform you but there are desperate white meth-head criminals in midtown and buckhead too. Ask anyone who has sat on a fulton county grand jury and heard the cases. For whatever reason, these incidents don't seem to get the same sensational news coverage, but alas it's there. Regardless of race we have got to get a handle on this crime trend intown...

Conceal carry with a permit. Not the answer but it sure makes me feel safer. PS......before you do that though, "please" take some firearm safety lessons!

If one of these muggers puts a gun to your head and you try and pull out your gun, you are most likely gonna end up dead. The only advantage I see to having a weapon is if you see them coming and are prepared. But most of the time these guys get the jump on people.

This is why I don't go out.

Im the person that was robbed. Im also the person that spun my car around and ran that hooded piece of shit over, dragging his body over the sidewalk and all the way down the hill to Freedom Parkway. Sure I did a few thousand damage to my car, but well worth it to end his life. An 18 year old that points guns at people needs to be dead.