Atlanta Police Crack Down on Gangs, Guns, and Drugs

Sweeping multi-agency operation leads to hundreds of arrests, seizures of firearms and narcotics

Mar. 3, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A coordinated crackdown by Atlanta police and federal agencies on gang, gun, and drug activity in the city resulted in 288 arrests, the seizure of 81 firearms, and the confiscation of 19 pounds of illegal drugs in 2025. The operations, known as "Kickstart," "Heat Wave," and "Deep Freeze," targeted repeat offenders and documented gang members, leading to a significant drop in homicides and nonfatal shootings.

Why it matters

The aggressive enforcement strategy is part of Atlanta's efforts to address a surge in violent crime, including a record number of homicides in 2022. By targeting the nexus of gangs, guns, and drugs, police aim to disrupt the cycle of violence and make the city's streets safer.

The details

The multi-agency operations brought together the Atlanta Police Department, FBI, ATF, Homeland Security, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, and federal prosecutors. They resulted in the arrest of 105 convicted felons and 61 documented gang members. Authorities also seized 81 guns and roughly 19 pounds of heroin, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine that could have fueled further violence.

  • The crackdown took place throughout 2025.
  • The operations were launched in response to a spike in violent crime in Atlanta in 2022.

The players

Darin Schierbaum

Chief of the Atlanta Police Department, who announced the results of the coordinated enforcement initiatives.

Theodore Hertzberg

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, who emphasized the importance of federal involvement in prosecuting repeat offenders.

Demetrius Benson

A repeat offender with prior felony firearm convictions who was arrested during Operation Deep Freeze and now faces federal charges with potentially harsher penalties.

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What they’re saying

“If you're a drug dealer in this region, if you're a gang member in this region, or you're possessing guns illegally, you're eventually going to meet Heat Wave, Kickstart or Deep Freeze. You're going to be aggressively prosecuted.”

— Darin Schierbaum, Atlanta Police Chief

“These are individuals that present threats to our communities. They should never, ever be possessing a weapon again on any of our streets.”

— Darin Schierbaum, Atlanta Police Chief

What’s next

Police officials say the coordinated enforcement initiatives will continue, with a focus on repeat offenders and disrupting the flow of illegal guns and drugs into the city.

The takeaway

Atlanta's multi-agency crackdown on gangs, guns, and drugs represents a comprehensive approach to addressing the city's surge in violent crime. By targeting the root causes and repeat offenders, police hope to break the cycle of violence and make significant progress in improving public safety.