APD: Be Prepared for the Atlanta Half Marathon Traffic and More This Week

More than 178,000 attendees are expected to visit Downtown Atlanta and the surrounding areas during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and the Atlanta Police Department is prepared for increased activity.  A variety of sporting events, concerts and other happenings will fill the city and the Atlanta Police Department is offering a few tips to navigate the crowds and enjoy the city safely.

More than a dozen major events will be held over the holiday including the Atlanta Half Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, Macy’s Tree Lighting and Atlanta Hawks games. 

Thanksgiving holiday weekend events (partial list)

- Atlanta Half Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel,  November 26-27, 11:00 am – 8:00 pm 

- Atlanta Half Marathon (5K race), Hank Aaron Dr. SE @ Ralph David Abernathy Blvd. SE, November 28, 7:30 am – 11:00 am 

- Macy’s Tree Lighting, Lenox Square Mall, November 28, 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm 

- Atlanta Hawks vs. Dallas Mavericks, Philips Arena, November 29, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm 

- Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs, Bobby Dodd Stadium, November 30, 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm 

- Georgia State Panthers vs. South Alabama Jaguars, Georgia Dome, November 30, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm 

- The Story Tour (Christian Concert), Philips Arena, November 30, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm  

- Kanye West “Yeezus Tour”, Philips Arena, December 1, 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm 

Most importantly, anyone traveling to any of the events by car should remember to adhere to the APD’s Clean Car Campaign by removing all valuables prior to exiting their vehicle. Officers routinely respond to reports of laptops, GPS units, tablet computers, purses, firearms and other valuables stolen from unattended vehicles. Leave these items at home, or take them with you to avoid becoming a victim of this preventable crime.

Other tips include:

• Always be aware of your surroundings, and call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious activity. Remember the Department’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign to encourage vigilance for criminal activity.

• Be mindful of parking only in permitted lots and be sure to pay attention to any “No Parking” signs to avoid citations or fines. Violators are also subject to having their vehicles towed and impounded.

• Be aware of possible road or lane closures due to events to plan your outings with minimal disruptions.

• Consider taking MARTA to these events, or carpooling, to minimize the traffic volume expected in Downtown and Midtown Atlanta.