The June 10 viewing of the movie was postponed after fights broke out during the showing of “Transformers:Revenge of the Fallen” on June 3 at Piedmont Park and spilled onto the streets, including alleged beatings and muggings and harassment against gay movie goers.

Peachtree TV, Piedmont Park Conservancy and the City of Atlanta announced the measures in a press release today that will include:

• A presence of the Atlanta Police Department’s mounted patrol.
• Representatives from MARTA Police and Midtown Blue to be at the park.
• An on-duty Atlanta Police Department Incident Commander, with the city’s Mobile Command Unit, will be on hand.

The full press release:

Peachtree TV, Piedmont Park Conservancy and the City of Atlanta Announce Public Safety Enhancements for Screen on the Green

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Peachtree TV, Piedmont Park Conservancy and the City of Atlanta have been working individually and collectively to evaluate and adjust the safety and security plan for Screen on the Green, a long-standing Atlanta summer tradition in the City’s flagship park.

The new public safety plan, which will be effective at the next event on June 17, incorporates increased security personnel, including on-duty and off-duty Atlanta police officers and staffers from a private security firm that regularly handles events in Piedmont Park.  In addition, representatives from MARTA Police and Midtown Blue are participating in this coordinated effort.  Specific improvements to the security plan for Screen on the Green include:

An on-duty Atlanta Police Department Incident Commander, utilizing the City’s Mobile Command Unit, will be on-site and able to make decisions to bring in additional Atlanta Police resources if needed.

Additional off-duty police officers have been added to the inside of the park to maintain order and stop any criminal behavior including disorderly conduct.

Staff from the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services will be on-site to assist moviegoers with non-emergency concerns.

The APD’s Mounted Patrol will have a presence and will be available to assist with any crowd control concerns that arise. They will only be called in by the Incident Commander if needed.

APD’s Zone 5 Units will maintain an on-duty presence in the area and can be called in quickly to augment the off-duty resources if needed.

The APD’s School Detective Unit, which has specific expertise in dealing with young people, will have a presence at the event.

Communication between event staff and police has been enhanced with the use of Nextel Direct.

Communication between off-duty and on-duty police will be improved, as the event is utilizing all Atlanta Police, who are on the same frequencies.

The sponsor partners have hired a new security company familiar with the park to provide more event security personnel, commonly referred to as “T-Shirt” security. They will maintain presence in the aisles and ask anyone disturbing the movie to quiet down or leave.

The sponsor partners have made adjustments to the event site plan to improve pedestrian traffic flow, such as relocating the screen, locations of the vending stations and the portable toilets.

In addition to the enhanced public safety measures being taken, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Interim Police Chief George Turner, in partnership with V-103, are hosting a Town Hall Meeting in the Old City Council Chambers at City Hall from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, 2010 to launch the Respect Yourself – Respect the “A” youth initiative. By utilizing popular radio personalities, celebrities and Mayor Reed, this program is designed to reach adolescents and teach them that their actions have far-reaching consequences that impact their lives, their neighborhoods and the City as a whole. The Town Hall will be broadcast live.

Piedmont Park has long been home to safe, successful events, including Screen on the Green.  The sponsor partners and the City of Atlanta believe the incidents on June 3 were an anomaly and encourage the community to return Thursday for the Screen on the Green showing of “Dreamgirls.”  The final Screen on the Green event for the 2010 season is the June 24 showing of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
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For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26

Top photo: Dreamgirls (publicity photo)