Kasim Reed, the former Atlanta mayor who faced scandal in 2018, has reemerged in the political arena with a bid for a third term. He is now a top candidate among a large group of lesser-known contenders, focusing on addressing the rise in violent crime in Atlanta. Reed believes he is the most qualified candidate to tackle this issue, emphasizing public safety as his top priority. Like Eric Adams, a moderate Democrat who won the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City, Reed is also promising to enhance law enforcement while considering calls for a cultural shift in policing. He has pledged to increase Atlanta's police force by 750 officers. He stated in a recent television ad that they will be training individuals in a post-George Floyd manner. Most of Reed's main opponents in the nonpartisan election are Democrats and are conveying a similar message, which differs from the defund-the-police sentiment that arose during the 2020 protests. The outcome of Reed's election in November may show how much voters are willing to overlook in politicians as long as they believe they will bring peace and order. Reed's time in office was marked by aggressive behavior some saw as bullying, and scandals involving kickbacks, theft of public funds, and weapons violations. Felicia Moore, a top rival for mayor, is urging voters to consider the corruption cases involving members of Reed's administration. She stated that the leadership must be accountable for the actions of their administration because he was the head of the organization. However, in Atlanta, crime has become a major issue. The number of homicides investigated by Atlanta police increased from 99 in 2019 to 157 in 2020, a year that saw the largest one-year rise in homicides in the US. This year, Atlanta is on track to surpass those numbers. Some homicides in the past year have shocked residents, such as an 8-year-old girl shot and killed in a car with her mother last summer, and a 27-year-old bartender kidnapped and killed at gunpoint last month. A 40-year-old woman and her dog were brutally killed while on a late-night walk near Piedmont Park in July. The violence in Atlanta is becoming more frequent and widespread, with incidents occurring throughout the city at all hours. Mayoral candidate Sharon Gay, who was mugged near her home in Inman Park 18 months ago, pointed out the increasing randomness of these crimes. The impact of these incidents is not limited to the mayor's office, as Georgia Republicans are using the violence in Atlanta as a campaign issue, despite the fact that both Democratic and Republican-led cities are experiencing an uptick in violent crime. Brian Kemp is dedicating a significant amount of money to establish a new "crime suppression unit" in the city. The affluent Buckhead neighborhood is considering breaking away from Atlanta primarily due to concerns about crime, which could have a negative impact on the city's tax revenue. Some critics are blaming the current mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, for not effectively addressing the crime issue. Earlier this spring, shortly before Bottoms announced she would not seek reelection, Reed stated that crime in the city had reached unacceptable levels and was causing division. This was widely seen as a shift against Bottoms, who was once mentored by Reed, and an indication that Reed may be planning a return to politics. When it arrived, it was accompanied by a large amount of glamour. Reed made a statement at a lavish party at Tyrese Gibson's Buckhead mansion, emphasizing the importance of Atlanta's future. He confidently declared his return to the political scene, urging other major cities to take notice. In just a few weeks, he managed to collect around $1 million in campaign donations. However, the belief that Atlanta would benefit from a return to the 2010-17 era when Reed was mayor is controversial. Reed claims responsibility for maintaining low crime rates and for hiring numerous police officers during his time in office. According to FBI statistics, violent crime decreased in the city starting in 2012 and continued to decline during Reed's time as mayor. This aligns with the national trend of decreasing violent crime that began in the early 1990s. Despite this overall decrease, recent high-profile crimes have caused concern among residents, as have short-term increases in murders, rapes, and aggravated assaults compared to the previous year. Reed showed both conviction and practicality during his tenure, making controversial decisions such as dismissing the city fire chief for homophobic remarks and implementing reforms to address the city's significant pension liability. However, scandals within Reed's administration led to guilty pleas from several officials. A previous human services director, watershed management head, and chief financial officer have been indicted and are currently awaiting trial. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in June that there seemed to be a federal investigation into Reed for using campaign funds for personal expenses, based on court documents and campaign records. In an interview, Reed stated that his lawyers were informed by the Department of Justice that he was not under investigation. The US Attorney's Office in Atlanta declined to provide any comment. Reed acknowledged in the interview that he takes responsibility for the issues that occurred during his tenure, and pointed out that despite years of scrutiny, no charges have been brought against him. He stated that he has undergone intense vetting and security measures that few people experience and survive, emerging with a clear reputation. He suggested that racism may have played a role in the scrutiny he faced, noting that federal investigations in places like Atlanta often target Black political leaders. In a recent poll conducted by the University of Georgia for The Journal-Constitution, Reed was slightly ahead in the mayoral race with around 24% support, but a large percentage of likely voters remained undecided. Reed's rivals are working to persuade these undecided voters that there are more suitable options. Some voters have grown tired of Reed. Bruce Maclachlan, an 85-year-old landlord residing in Inman Park near the location of Gay's mugging, expressed concern about corruption surrounding Kasim Reed, prompting him to question the situation. Maclachlan stated that he planned to vote for Moore, the City Council president, who had approximately 20% support in the poll and appeared to be trustworthy and untainted by scandal. Criminal defense lawyer Robert Patillo has experienced the crime issue firsthand. In recent months, his sister's car was stolen, his laptop was taken from his car, and a friend's house was burglarized. He expressed that everyone has been affected by crime in some way. Despite this, he still planned to vote for Moore, believing he would be more reliable and adept at addressing both crime and civil rights issues. He acknowledged the attraction of Reed, noting that people tend to turn to strong leaders when they are fearful. Pinky Cole, the creator of Slutty Vegan, a popular local restaurant chain, had a contrasting perspective. Cole, a well-known young African American entrepreneur in the city, stated that Reed had assisted her with legal issues her business was facing. She believed that crime and the city's business environment were closely connected, a common viewpoint in Atlanta. Recently, two of her employees were shot, one fatally, which had a significant impact on her. Despite the corruption cases surrounding Reed, she trusted his integrity and remembered how he had previously made the city safe. She expressed confidence that he would be able to do so again.