Public Safety Briefs

The Atlanta Police Department has named Officer Eric King as a new LBGT liaison . King joins Officer Brian Sharp as the two LGBT liaisons for the department. King has been with the Atlanta Police Department for five years and was recently assigned to Zone 4 where he was a bicycle officer in the West End and Greenbriar Mall areas.

Atlanta Police

Chief George Turner was recently sworn in as the 1st Vice President of the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) at the 2014 Annual Summer Training conference. In 2015, he will ascend to the presidency and become only the second AfricanAmerican to hold the position in 53 years.

The Center for Public Safety Excellence through its Commission on Fire Accreditation International has announced that Atlanta Fire Rescue has retained its accredited status. The department initially received accreditation in 2002. Its first renewal was in 2008. “This achievement places the department among only 200 fire departments in the world that are accredited and re-establishes it as a model for innovative public fire protection practices,” said Commission Chair Allan Cain.

The Atlanta Police Department is seeking participants for the Fall 2014 Citizens Police Academy. The course will begin Oct. 1 and will take place every Wednesday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. through Nov 12. Classes are held at the Herbert T. Jenkins Atlanta Police Academy, 180 Southside Industrial Parkway. The Citizens Police Academy will include over 30 hours of instruction with classroom courses in crime scenes, 911, criminal procedure, K9 demonstration, identity theft, a department overview and a zone ride-a-long. Participants must be a resident of the metropolitan Atlanta area, be at least 21 years old, and have no felony or misdemeanor convictions within one year of application. A standard background check will be completed. Interested citizens can request an application by emailing Atlantacops@atlantaga.gov The deadline for application is Sept. 19.

The Atlanta Police Department Narcotics Unit was featured in the television series Drugs, Inc . last month on the National Geographic Network. Viewers got a small glimpse into the work of the department as it works to stop the manufacturing and sale of MDMA, also known as “molly” and ecstasy.

{sacred} thread yoga in Old Fourth Ward is hosting regular events every month at The Wrecking Bar in Little Five Points. Combining yoga and beer has been a big success for the studio. Check out the website at sacredthreadyoga.com for the next event.

The health and fitness event Wanderlust will take place Sept. 28 at Piedmont Park from 6-8 p.m. on The Promenade. The event will kick off with a 5K fun run followed by an inspirational talk from former NFL Football player Keith Mitchell, who will lead the crowd in meditation and yoga. There will also be music from DJ Sol Rising and MC Yogi and a marketplace featuring local vendors showcasing unique apparel, jewelry, and handcrafted goods. Local food purveyors will provide an eclectic mix of healthy organic food options, including vegan and vegetarian fare. lululemon will present The Front Yard, an expansive area dedicated to post-run fun including retro lawn games for guests to play or take in the spectacle. For information and tickets, visit atlanta. wanderlustfestival.com.

My City Bikes, the national campaign creating local solutions to address obesity, heart disease and community wellness with its localized biking apps, is expanding the content of its local Atlanta Bikes app to cater to families and children. With its new “Family and Children” section currently in development, My City Bikes is encouraging families to bike together with kid-friendly rides, family group rides like those led by Atlanta Bikes cosponsor Fresh Bike Service, and a guide to “bikepooling” in their local neighborhoods. The “Family and Children” section on the Atlanta Bikes app will be available by Jan. 1, 2015. To download the free Atlanta Bikes app, search “Atlanta Bikes” in the iTunes or Google Play app store, or visit mycitybikes.org.

Indoor cycling method Cyc (cycfitness. com) will open its first studio in Atlanta this month. Cyc will be located inside the Forum Athletic Club - Buckhead and will feature a 50-bike, 2,000 square foot studio.

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