Kasim Reed, the former Atlanta mayor who faced scandal in his administration in 2018, has reemerged as a top candidate for a third term, focusing on addressing the rise in violent crime in the city. Reed claims he is the only candidate with the experience to tackle this issue and has promised to increase law enforcement while considering calls for cultural change in policing. He recently introduced a new campaign ad on Twitter highlighting public safety as his main priority. "He said in a recent television ad that they are going to train the police in a post-George Floyd manner. Most of Reed's main opponents in the nonpartisan race are Democrats and are also conveying a similar message. This message is different from the defund-the-police stance taken by progressive activists during the 2020 protests. Reed's performance in the November elections 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 as mayor was marked by a confrontational style that some saw as bullying and several scandals involving corruption, theft of public funds, and weapons violations. Felicia Moore, City Council president and a top rival, wants voters to consider the corruption cases involving Reed's administration." She stated that the leadership must accept accountability for the actions of their administration because he was in charge of that organization. However, crime has become a major issue in Atlanta, with the number of homicides investigated by Atlanta police increasing from 99 in 2019 to 157 in 2020. This surge occurred during a year when the US saw its largest one-year increase in homicides on record, and Atlanta is on track to have an even worse year. Some homicides in the past year have been particularly shocking to residents, such as the killing of an 8-year-old girl who was shot in a car with her mother last summer, and the kidnapping and killing of a 27-year-old bartender as she was heading home from work last month. A 40-year-old woman and her dog were brutally murdered while she was out for a late-night walk near Piedmont Park in July. The violence in Atlanta is becoming more random and occurring at all times of day, according to mayoral candidate Sharon Gay, who herself was mugged 18 months ago near her home in Inman Park. The political implications of this issue are not limited to the mayor's office, as Georgia Republicans are now using the violence in liberal Atlanta as a campaign issue, despite the fact that both Democratic and Republican-run cities have seen an increase in violent crime. Brian Kemp has allocated a significant amount of funding for a new "crime suppression unit" in the city. The affluent Buckhead neighborhood is considering breaking away from Atlanta primarily due to concerns about crime, a move that could have negative consequences for the city's tax revenue. Some critics are holding the current mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, responsible for not effectively addressing the crime issue. Earlier this spring, just days 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, his former mentee, and a hint that Reed may be planning a return to politics. When it arrived, it was filled with a significant amount of glamour. Reed announced at a lavish party at Tyrese Gibson's Buckhead mansion that "The future of Atlanta is on the line." He proudly declared, "Atlanta, inform LA, New York, Charlotte, Dallas, Chicago, and especially Miami - I have returned!" Within weeks, he had collected around $1 million in campaign donations. However, the notion that Atlanta would benefit from returning to Reed's time in office from 2010-17 is controversial. Reed claims responsibility for maintaining low crime rates during his tenure and boasts about recruiting numerous police officers. According to FBI statistics, there was a decrease in violent crime in the city starting in 2012 and continuing throughout Reed's time as mayor. This decline was part of a national trend that began in the early 1990s. Despite this overall decrease, there has been a recent uptick in high-profile crimes causing concern among residents. Reed was known for his strong convictions and practical approach, such as dismissing the city fire chief for making homophobic remarks and addressing the city's pension liability. However, his administration was also marred by scandals which led to guilty pleas from several officials. A previous director of human services, head of watershed management, and chief financial officer have also been charged and are waiting for their trial. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in June that Reed may be under federal investigation for using campaign funds for personal expenses, based on court documents and campaign records. Reed stated in an interview that his lawyers were informed by the Department of Justice that he is not being investigated. The US Attorney's Office in Atlanta declined to provide any comments. Reed admitted in the interview that he takes responsibility for the issues that occurred during his time in office, and mentioned that despite years of scrutiny, no charges have been brought against him. He mentioned that he went through a rigorous vetting process, which very few people survive, and emerged with a clear reputation. He implied that racism may have played a role in the intense scrutiny he faced. He noted that federal investigations, such as the one in Atlanta, often target Black political leaders, especially mayors. A recent University of Georgia poll showed Reed leading the mayoral race with around 24% support, but 41% of likely voters were undecided. His opponents are trying to sway these undecided voters by suggesting there are better options. Some voters are fed up with Reed. Bruce Maclachlan, an 85-year-old landlord residing in Inman Park near the area of Gay's mugging, expressed concern about corruption surrounding Kasim Reed, prompting him to question the situation. Maclachlan stated that he was supporting Moore, the City Council president who was closely trailing Reed in the poll with approximately 20% backing, as she seemed to possess integrity and lack any scandal. Robert Patillo, a criminal defence attorney, has personally experienced the crime issue. Recently, 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 stated that he would vote for Moore because he viewed him as more reliable and capable of addressing both crime and civil rights issues. However, he acknowledged the appeal of Reed, noting that people tend to seek strong leadership when they are afraid. Pinky Cole, the creator of Slutty Vegan, a popular local restaurant chain, held a contrasting opinion. Cole, a well-known young African American entrepreneur in the city, expressed that Reed had assisted her in resolving legal issues that her business had encountered. She believed that crime and the city's business environment were closely connected, a viewpoint shared by many in Atlanta. Cole had personally experienced the impact of this connection as two of her employees had been shot, one fatally. Despite concerns about corruption cases involving Reed, she viewed him as a man of integrity and trusted his ability to make the city safe, as he had done in the past. "I'm confident," she stated, "that he'll do it again."