In Atlanta s Buckhead Neighborhood, Rising Crime Fuels Move to Secede – WSJ

ATLANTA An increase in violent crime has spurred a movement in Atlanta s wealthiest and whitest neighborhood, Buckhead, to push harder to secede and create a new city with its own police force. The idea, which has been gaining momentum over the past year, is raising alarm among Atlanta officials worried about a loss of population and tax revenue.

The Republican-majority state legislature, which just opened its 2022 session, is taking up proposed legislation this month for a referendum on Buckhead cityhood. Politicians in largely Democratic Atlanta oppose the idea.

Bill White, chief executive of the committee pushing Buckhead cityhood, said Atlanta hasn t done enough to stem violence, car-thefts, drag-racing and other crimes that surged beginning in 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic and after civil unrest followed Black Lives Matter protests.

They really don t care about Buckhead, Mr. White, said about city officials. They just want the money.

via www.wsj.com