The proposed “Cop City” development project in Atlanta has stirred a significant controversy. Opponents argue that the $90 million project, meant to serve as an urban warfare training center for police, is a wasteful allocation of city resources and sends a troubling message about the militarization of law enforcement.
Atlanta’s ‘Cop City’ Development: A Tactical Training Compound?
The “Cop City” project, as critics label it, is being positioned as a cutting-edge law enforcement training facility. Critics, however, see it as a militaristic move akin to creating a Disneyland-like arena for cops to practice urban warfare. This development is funded mainly by major corporations, including Norfolk Southern. The city’s contribution is approximately $33 million, raising eyebrows about the allocation of municipal resources.
The Public’s Voice: A Heated City Council Meeting
The recent Atlanta City Council meeting was the scene of passionate debate about the proposed development. The Council’s decision on financing the $90 million training center attracted hundreds of opponents. Disapproval ran high as citizens voiced their concerns, even leading to moments of heated argument triggering the attempted clearing of the council chambers. Critics contend the plan is an overreach, an inappropriate response to the civil unrest following the George Floyd incident.
A Libertarian’s Perspective on ‘Cop City’ Development
Libertarian Party of Georgia member Chase Oliver – who is currently seeking the party’s nomination for president – presented a compelling argument against the ‘Cop City’ development project during a city council meeting in Atlanta this Monday. His passionate plea emphasizes the importance of trust, accountability, and alternative solutions to city problems beyond the scope of law enforcement.
Chase Oliver, a lifelong Atlanta resident, stepped forward to represent not only his political affiliation – the Libertarian Party – but the many voices of dissatisfied Atlantans. He highlighted that opposition to the ‘Cop City’ project is not a partisan matter but rather a question of right versus wrong. Oliver implored council members to listen to their constituents, accusing those who supported the ‘Cop City’ project of failing to perform their duty.
This is not a left versus right issue. This is a right versus wrong issue.
Chase Oliver
Transcript:
“My name is Chase Oliver. I have lived in and around the city of Atlanta for nearly my entire life. I am here as a member of the Libertarian Party. The reason why I’m saying that is because I think you need to understand that this is not a left versus right issue, this is a right versus wrong issue that we’re dealing with with Cop City.
I’m asking you to listen to your constituents. There are many of them out there, we can hear them right now. But not a single one of you who voted for ‘Cop City’ is listening to each and every one of them out there. And that is your job. You have been tasked with doing the work that the people who elected you to do. You are not doing that work right now.
You are betraying the trust that people have put in you. And not only are you betraying the trust by approving this funding, the police are betraying this trust by asking for this facility because the truth is, the police have not earned our trust and you have not earned our trust. If you want our trust, then hold yourselves accountable.
Hold the police accountable by ending qualified immunity. Hold the police accountable by ending a War on Drugs that sends far too many of our people who are suffering from addiction to jail instead of where they need to be – healing themselves.
If you want trust from us, hold yourselves to account and hold the police to account because my entire life I have seen the city of Atlanta make false promises that we’re going to address these issues. That we’re going to find new ways to address crime that doesn’t just involve the barrel of a gun.
But it seems that every time that there’s a new solution, you ignore it and you go right back to the same law. “Well, we just need to train ourselves better.” And that is a lie. There are already training facilities for every member of the Atlanta Police Department.
If you want to make those a little bit better, if you want to improve upon those – good, but you don’t need to clear-cut forest to make that happen. We are the greenest city in the country, and that’s something that I am very, very proud of.
And I say, as a Libertarian, we do not believe in the initiation of force for things. And you have put it upon us that you’re putting force upon each and every one of our necks. Take the boot off of our neck. Support freedom and support the people of the city of Atlanta.
Thank you very much.”
The Bigger Picture: Militarization of the Police or Essential Training?
The proposed “Cop City” project encapsulates a broader nationwide debate on police funding, training, and the question of police militarization. The project’s proponents see it as a necessary step in improving police readiness, especially in response to urban unrest. Critics, however, see it as symbolic of a troubling trend towards increasingly militarized police forces and believe the funds could be used to address more pressing social issues or returned to taxpayers. The outcome of this debate will not only impact Atlanta but could also set a precedent for similar projects across the country.
