FWIW, the state will never allow Buckhead to secede because if it did, the city would effectively become insolvent. If that happens, who has to backstop all those unfunded pensions? The state of Georgia.
About a decade ago, the northern suburbs of Fulton County tried to do the same thing, secede from the County Seat of Atlanta. The state eventually put an end to it for the same reason; unfunded pension liabilities.
I know. But the folks of Buckhead, Morningside, Va Highlands and parts north, would dip their toes in that water to get a reaction, IMHO.
Things have changed.
I was told that Buckhead pays upwards of 80-90% of the school taxes for the city.
But, when you have joggers getting shot, apparently the shooter told APD that he woke up and wanted to kill white people, you have some serious problems up there. The local media helps out Mayor KiKi by not reporting on a lot of the crimes that takes place. The city has packs of kids, knowing they won’t get in trouble, getting off MARTA at the Buckhead station and terrorizing folks up there.
You do have a point, for sure. But a counterpoint if I were a Buckhead resident would be....hey, look at all those rich white folks in Midtown, all the high rises popping up being filled with white liberals and empty nesters from all over the place, look at all the AFFLUENT WHITE LIBERALS in Virginia Highlands-Morningside-Inman Park-The Prado-all along the Beltline....and most importantly.....all the affluent white liberals that are gentrifying the black neighborhoods in South and Southwest Atlanta....they have money, let them pay the bills.
Mayor KiKi and her recent police chiefs have been an absolute disaster for the city. And at this point, short of a nationwide shift in policy and support for police, it’s only going to get worse.
As someone that was in law enforcement, I can tell you that money only goes so far. You can pay cops whatever you want. One thing that is never brought up is the actual talent pool that police and fire departments have to pick from. There simply aren’t that many men and women that want the job. They’re too busy on Snapchat and Instagram.
Kids today do not want those jobs, anymore than they want to join the military, be plumbers or electricians.
Yes, some will apply to a police department. After an investigation about 10% or less get job offers. Of those many don’t make it. Of those many don’t stay. And the ones that do, nowadays, many are just there for the paycheck and benefits. They’re not going out of their way for much. Now toss in the scrutiny, BLM/Defund movements, getting rid of qualified immunity, and a host of other things and it is a bad day.
On a side note, I’m completely confident that with the right mindset, most communities could police themselves.