Atlanta Response Times Longest Among Cities

An investigation by a local newspaper has discovered that Atlanta (Geo.) has the longest police response times among seven similar-sized cities–an average of 11 minutes and 12 second for high-priority incidents. The newspaper obtained statistics from the other departments to make the comparison, but noted that all use a different method of determining “response time,” which makes an actual comparison difficult. When the reporter talked to the police department and 911 center to discuss the response times, both pointed to the other as a possible reason for the long times. Dep. police chief Pete Anderson cited “getting proper information” from dispatchers as a delay in responding, while 911 director Miles Butler said, “You’ve got to have officers available.” Read the entire article and see the figures here.