Officers stood watch along the Atlanta BeltLine Saturday night after a planned gathering was promoted on Instagram, according to sources familiar with the response.
By Miles J. Edwards | A.T.L. N.E.W.S. Georgia Bureau
ATLANTA – Atlanta police and Ponce City Market security worked together Saturday night, Nov. 7, to disrupt a planned “teen takeover,” according to sources familiar with the response. The sources said the gathering was promoted on Instagram and that police and security coordinated their response at the Old Fourth Ward property.
The sources said eight Atlanta police officers were stationed at the loading dock, three or four all-terrain vehicles were deployed, a drone was launched and access to the parking garage was blocked. They also said entry to Ponce City Market was later limited to people 21 and older. It was unclear how long the restriction lasted or which entrances it affected.
A.T.L. N.E.W.S. observed groups of teenagers along the nearby Atlanta BeltLine and police officers standing watch. It was unclear how many of the people on the trail were connected to the planned gathering.
Sources said e-scooter speeds were reduced during the response. A.T.L. N.E.W.S. could not independently verify whether a temporary speed restriction was in effect or how it was imposed. In a separate incident downtown in August, scooter operators Bird and Lime told Atlanta News First they worked with police and the city’s transportation department to set up temporary no-ride and reduced-speed zones for rental scooters.
Atlanta police previously reported increasing patrols ahead of a separate planned “teen takeover” along the BeltLine on Feb. 28. A.T.L. N.E.W.S. could not locate a public statement from Atlanta police or Ponce City Market management about the Nov. 7 response. It remained unclear whether police made any arrests or issued any citations.