NBA All Star weekend is around the corner, and that means Atlanta police are ramping up enforcements.
The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association opted to hold the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta on March 7, after initially canceling it in Indianapolis because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Atlanta Police Department is ready, including by moving to 12-hour shifts and canceling off days for officers assigned to the Field Operations Division. Sworn administrative personnel will also be placed o the street for max police presence, according to the department.
“The City of Atlanta is no stranger to hosting major sporting events and the Atlanta Police Department(APD) is proud of the successes that we have seen in the past. We look to continue those efforts,” the department stated this week, adding: “We want everyone to think about safety first this weekend and every weekend. If you have a dispute with a friend or acquaintance, agree to disagree and walk away. Live to talk and laugh another day. Gun violence is not the answer. We want you to make it back home to your family when this weekend is over.”
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is also working with the NBA to encourage people to stay home and watch the game on TV, 11 Alive reported Thursday (March 4). The NBA sent letters to event promoters to discourage gatherings. The NBA also isn’t hosting officially-sanctioned events during All-Star weekend.
See more from the Atlanta Police Department below:
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