Beltline patrols increase after attacks

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Police Department is adding additional officers to fight crime along the Atlanta Beltline and in surrounding neighborhoods.

A number of people have recently been attacked and robbed on or near the BeltLine, the most recent on Tuesday morning about 10 a.m., according to police reports.

Alisha Levitt said she should have listened to her instincts while running on the BeltLine, but she decided to continue her morning run. Seconds later two men robbed her at gunpoint.

"I showed him I had change and just some crumbs from kids' snacks and then he asked for my iPhone. He didn't want the change," Levitt told Channel 2's Dave Huddleston.

The uptick in crime near the Beltline and in Buckhead has upset Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and prompted immediate action by the police chief.

Huddleston saw four officers walking along the trail on Thursday and patrolling the shopping center near the BeltLine and Monroe Drive in midtown Atlanta.

BeltLine users told Huddleston they are well aware of the dangers on the urban trail.

"It's crazy and it's too bad, because this is such a gift for the city to have this thoroughfare and it's been so well received," a pedestrian said.

Levitt said it may be a while before she uses the BeltLine again.

"Be cautious. Look around and know your surroundings. Listen to your instincts, which I did not do. I wish I would have listened to my instincts because I would've turned around and kept running," she said.

The Atlanta Mounted Patrol is patrolling the area and starting in June a special unit called the APD Path Force will patrol the trail for the next three years.

WSBTV