Effective communications between APD and private sector security creates a force multiplier for crime prevention and emergency preparedness.

The Atlanta Police Foundation and The Atlanta Police Department, in partnership with Mayor Shirley Franklin, the Atlanta Security Council, Central Atlanta Progress, Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, and Midtown Alliance launched its newest program, OPERATION SHIELD in April, 2007.  Operation Shield is a ‘for members only’ program that exercises a fully integrated approach to carrying out our mission of addressing crime prevention and emergency preparedness.  Operation Shield’s three-pronged success formula enables members to effectively bridge communication gaps between the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta’s business community; they include: 
  
Atlanta CityWorkSite: Specifically designed for Atlanta / about Atlanta, Atlanta City Worksite serves as Operation Shield’s secure web based platform channel that provides real time communications and information sharing among security community leaders including the Atlanta Police Department, contract and in house private security professionals, property and facilities management, and transit via text messaging, email, pager, and fax.  Many major US cities have already implemented a similar program and experienced immediate results which included increased response rates, reduced crime statistics, and stronger communications among public and private sector members. 
  
COMNET: Monitored 24/7 by the Atlanta Police Department, COMNET is Operation Shield’s exclusive two-way radio security communications network that allows direct communication between all Operation Shield members to issue alerts, assist in tracking, and provide comprehensive community support and safety promotion by virtue of a dedicated radio frequency. 
  
Surveillance Camera Integration:  Fully funded by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, Buckhead Alliance, Midtown Alliance, and Central Atlanta Progress, high – tech surveillance cameras are fed live to the Atlanta Police Department and are uploaded to Atlanta CityWorkSite. Members experience the added benefit and security of an expanded camera surveillance network through which dedicated 24 hour Atlanta Police Department monitoring and dedicated response is provided in and around Atlanta’s city limits. 
  
  
To ensure the highest levels of success, it is recommended that all Atlanta security and facilities managers be linked into both primary communication channels, Atlanta CityWorkSite and COMNET.  To become an Operation Shield member please contact Grant Hawkins, Director of Programs  at 404.586.0180.