Mayor Franklin Sends a Message to Child Sex Predators: No More!
Last week, Mayor Shirley Franklin sent a strong message that the sexual exploitation of children will not be tolerated in Atlanta when she joined law enforcement officials and social service agencies to launch the “Dear John” community awareness campaign.
“No more. Not in my town. Not in the city of Atlanta. Not today. Not ever,” Mayor Franklin said. Mayor Franklin will appear in public service announcements that speak directly to the men – or “johns” – who knowingly buy sex from underage children. The goal of the PSAs is also to educate Atlanta residents about the horrific sexual exploitation of children in our city.
The PSAs are just one component of a multi-tiered approach to end the commercial exploitation of children in Atlanta. In January, the Atlanta Women’s Agenda, an advisory council created by Mayor Franklin, will request an appropriation of resources from the Georgia Legislature to fund treatment and assessment centers for underage prostitutes. The Atlanta Women’s Agenda is also partnering with the Municipal Court of Atlanta to develop a “john’s school” that will include reformative programming for first-time offenders.
“It is important that we address one of the worst crimes in our community. We have to do more than just talk about it,” Mayor Franklin continued. “Atlanta is not alone in the fight against these predators, but we are choosing to do something about it.”
Partners in this effort include the Atlanta Police Department, the Juvenile Justice Fund, the Georgia Department of Human Services and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. APD Chief Richard Pennington recently announced that the APD vice unit – which includes a team of officers dedicated to child sexual exploitation – will begin arranging stings on the Internet, where predators often connect with children, unbeknownst to their parents.
For more information about the Dear John public education campaign, watch this week’s Featured Video on Demand.
For more information about the sexual exploitation of children, click here to read “Hidden in Plain View: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Girls in Atlanta,” a 2005 study commissioned by the Atlanta Women’s Agenda.
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The Dear John public education campaign includes public service announcements (PSAs) that will appear on television, radio and in print. The campaign addresses “johns” who knowingly buy sex from underage girls and boys.
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Global Women Leaders Gather to Launch Workshops on Gender Equality
Yesterday, Mayor Shirley Franklin welcomed more than 45 international women leaders to Atlanta to launch the first “Global Leadership Initiative on Gender Equality for State and Local Governments” workshop.
The Atlanta launch will be the first in a series of global workshops to encourage greater female representation in academia, business and government. In 2000, more than 189 nations gathered at the United Nations to establish a global partnership to create a better world by 2015. During that meeting in 2000, gender equality was identified as one of eight critical Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
Mayor Franklin was asked by CIFAL-Atlanta, the North American affiliate of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and host of the workshop, to serve as chairperson for this visionary initiative. Workshop delegates will share knowledge on best practices for achieving gender equality and empowerment of women. Atlanta representatives at the workshop include leadership from all-women’s colleges, Spelman and Agnes Scott.
“Throughout the world, gender inequities are among the most common forms of inequality,” said Mayor Franklin. “This workshop provides participants an opportunity to meet and discuss the importance of gender empowerment and economic independence as we work to meet the Millennium Development Goals.”
For more information about the Global Leadership Initiative on Gender Equality for State and Local Governments, visit here.
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The City Christens “A Trash Truck Called Wanda”
Last week, the Department of Public Works (DPW) christened “A Trash Truck Called Wanda” in honor of “trash-talking” radio host, comedienne and community service advocate, Wanda Smith.
Mayor Shirley Franklin and DPW Commissioner David Scott recently presented Smith with a proclamation for her community service and advocacy work on behalf of Atlanta residents. During the truck-naming ceremony, DPW introduced residents and community leaders to the sanitation crew that keeps Atlanta clean and safe. They also provided information on jobs in the department.
“With the implementation of “A Trash Truck Called Wanda,” the City of Atlanta recognizes and thanks the DPW sanitation crews for their invaluable contributions to keeping the city safe and clean and we’re taking our appreciation to the streets!" said DPW Commissioner Scott.
Each day, DPW efficiently and effectively serves Atlanta residents, whether it is sanitation and solid waste needs or the famous Pothole Posse. The department is currently soliciting community input on proposed location sites for solid waste removal.
Make your opinion count. Click below to take the Solid Waste Services Facility Master Plan Online Survey
Mayor Shirley Franklin presented a proclamation to Wanda Smith (pictured front center) for her community service on behalf of the City of Atlanta. The City of Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW) recently renamed one of its trash trucks “Wanda” in honor of the radio host and comedienne. Pictured from left to right: (bottom) Frank Ski, radio host; Donna Owens, DPW deputy commissioner; Wanda Smith; Mayor Franklin; DPW Commissioner David Scott. Pictured, l-r, top: DPW employees. |
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City Hosts Final 2006 Public Blood Drive
This Friday, November 17, the City of Atlanta will host its final blood drive scheduled for 2006 in the City Hall Atrium from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The American Red Cross advises those volunteering to give blood to prepare by getting a good night’s sleep, eating a well-balanced meal and doubling the amount of fluids they normally drink 48 hours before donating. The American Red Cross hopes to collect an overall target of 120 pints of blood for this event. During the August Blood Drive, the City collected 121 pints.
The City of Atlanta sponsors four blood drives a year, including Badges for Life, a competition between the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and the Atlanta Fire Rescue (AFR) Department.
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Mayor Shirley Franklin recently partnered with law enforcement officials and social service agencies to launch the "Dear John" campaign. As spokesperson for the campaign, Mayor Franklin will appear in a public service announcement that sends a strong message to those who sexually exploit children – Not in my town. Click here to go to Video On Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch the PSA.
This is just one of the many videos you can view on the VOD page. Video clips include many of the programs you see on City Channel 26, like news conferences, groundbreakings and other events, as well as special programs that profile City departments and services.
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Rave Reviews!
- Last week, the City of Atlanta hosted the first-ever BET Hip-Hop Awards at the Fox Theatre, which will be nationally televised on Wednesday, November 15.
Mayor Shirley Franklin joins BET president, Deborah Lee, at a VIP reception during the first annual BET Hip Hop Awards show. The Awards were held at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in midtown Atlanta. |
- The Mayor’s Office of Weed and Seed received the 2006 “Rookie of the Year” Award for outstanding participation in the 23rd National Night Out community policing initiative. In 2006, more than 35 million people across the United States participated in National Night Out, which includes parades, block parties and neighborhood watch activities. To rally community support, the Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh and Vine City neighborhoods of Atlanta renamed themselves the “Weed and Seed Communities of Atlanta.” Participants stood together in solidarity to send the message to criminals that crime will no longer be tolerated. For more information about Atlanta’s Weed and Seed initiative, visit here.
- Maddox Park has been named the October 2006 “Park of the Month.” Located at 1115 Bankhead Hwy, Maddox Park was the hands-down winner, selected by non-profit group, Park Pride. In addition to being freshly cleaned and mulched, all of the park’s sidewalks have been edged, truckloads of overgrowth were removed, the park sign and furniture was repainted, annuals were planted, and the historic stone pavilion was pressure-washed. This is a significant achievement for Maddox; in the past, the park has had overgrown grass and scattered litter. For more information about City of Atlanta parks, visit here.
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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities
- In Atlanta, every day is an opening day … Atlanta 365 launches 365 days/ 365 plays with one week of performances at the Alliance Theatre. Pulitzer-prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks has written a play for every day of the year. Atlanta metro arts organizations will premiere one play per day for an entire year. The Alliance will host free admission for one night only, Friday, November 17, at 8 p.m. To RSVP, call 404.733.4630. For more information about Atlanta 365, visit here.
Atlanta 365 launches with seven different plays performed in one week at the Alliance Theatre. |
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Job Announcements
With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.
After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.
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Weekly Features
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