At their June 17, 2020 meeting, Fulton County Commissioners unanimously approved legislation to establish penalties for hate crimes. The ordinance, sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis, calls for criminals who target victims based on race, color, creed, age, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin to face up to 60 days in jail and up to a one thousand dollar fine. The measure was co-sponsored by District 4 Commissioner Natalie Hall, District 6 Commissioner Joe Carn and Fulton County Commission Vice-Chairman and District 5 Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr.

A hate crime is an offense such as disorderly conduct or vandalism with an added element of bias or prejudice, causing it to inflict greater individual or societal harm. The hate crimes legislation would be enforced in the unincorporated area of Fulton County. 

Commissioners unanimously backed the measure in hopes that other counties and municipalities will follow suit and consider passage of comparable ordinances for their respective jurisdictions. The legislation also calls on the Fulton County Police Department to collect data concerning the commission of hate crimes and provide that information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 

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Fulton County Commissioners also approved legislation requiring officers working for three Fulton County law enforcement agencies (Fulton County Police, Fulton County Marshals, and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office) to avoid the use of neck restraints of suspects and deadly force against suspects. The legislation also calls on officers to report incidents of police misconduct they witness. The ordinances were sponsored by Fulton County Commission Vice-Chairman Marvin S. Arrington, Jr. and co-sponsored by Commissioners Natalie Hall, Bob Ellis, and Joe Carn.  

 

The legislation regarding the use of deadly force calls on Fulton County’s Chief of Police, Sheriff, and Marshal to reinforce and create policies, training, practices, and a culture which support the de-escalation of the use of force. Officers are asked to modify their levels of force in relation to the amount of resistance offered by suspects. The legislation goes on to suggest that “the use of deadly force be limited to only those situations where a suspect has committed or is in the process of committing a felony involving the infliction or threatened infliction of serious physical injury or death; and the escape of the suspect would pose an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person.”

 

The same three Fulton County agencies are also urged to refrain from use of neck restraints (or “chokeholds”) to subdue criminal suspects.

 

Fulton County law enforcement agencies are also encouraged by the Board of Commissioners to report “each and every incident of potential misconduct, including but not limited to the use of excessive force and the potential violation of any law to their superior officers as soon as possible.” 

 

Resolution Regarding Law Enforcement Use of Deadly Force

Resolution regarding Law Enforcement Misconduct Reporting

Resolution Regarding Law Enforcement Use of Neck Restraints

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Fulton County is proposing to amend to the 2015-2019 Consolidated Plan, including the 2019 Annual Action Plan to include an allocation of funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Public Law 116-136) made available in supplemental Emergency Solutions Grant ESG-CV and Community Development Block Grant CDBG-CV in the amounts of $2,529,828 and $1,098,603, respectively.

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Several key services are now accessible at Fulton County's Government Service Centers and Tag offices.

Specific facilities that are now open for some services include:

Additional services will reopen with modifications in coming weeks. Customers should contact offices before visiting or check the Fulton County website.

To help manage the volume of visitors at the offices of the Fulton County Tax Commissioner, extended hours will be offered, with all locations open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Starting June 20, the Greenbriar Mall and Maxwell Road locations will be open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Residents who need to simply renew their vehicle registration can avoid the lines by visiting a Kiosk location or renew online. Fulton County has waived convenience and credit card processing fees to make kiosks and online registration more convenient.

Vehicle Registration Kiosks are located at the following Kroger stores:

Kiosks are also available at all Tax Commissioner office locations.

For more information or to renew vehicle registrations online, go to  fultoncountytaxes.org

PROBATE COURT: Probate Court has resumed normal office hours (8: 30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at the Fulton County Courthouse office. The Probate Court offices at the North Service Center and South Service Center will also reopen with some modifications to services.  

The tentative date for resuming the acceptance of Weapons Carry License Applications and Applications for Renewal of Weapons Carry Licenses is July 1, 2020 subject to the resumption of fingerprint services and background checks by the various law enforcement agencies. This applies to all Probate Court offices. Learn More

VITAL RECORDS: The office of Vital Records is open for normal business hours at 141 Pryor Street. This office handles Birth and Death Certificates. Services are also available online.

Virtual Services Available

LIBRARY: Library branches are closed, but various digital services are available . The Summer Reading Program is virtual and curbside Library Service is coming soon.

CLERK OF SUPERIOR AND MAGISTRATE COURTS: The Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Courts services are back open, however residents are encouraged to utilize  eServices .  

ARTS & CULTURE: Art Centers and the Wolf Creek Amphitheater are closed to the public, but residents can participate in virtual Arts Summer Classes and Camp. Learn More

The Teen Experience Health Series is a six-week virtual series of classes designed to connect teens (ages 15-19) with their peers to discuss health topics that are important to them. The free 45 minute classes are taught by an adolescent health and youth development professional.

 

The first class, Teen Pregnancy and STI/HIV Prevention, discusses ways to prevent unplanned pregnancy and STIs/HIV and reduce at-risk behaviors. Register for the Thursday, June 25 class or the Friday, June 26 class.

 

Other classes scheduled for the series include:

 

All classes start at 1 p.m. and will be conducted via Zoom video conference.

Contact info: Call 404-612-1688 or email

June 22-28, 2020 is National Pollinator Week! This week, we celebrate the impact of pollinators on our daily life and discuss ways to protect them.

Kickoff National Pollinator Week by participating in the inaugural Pollinator Power Party, brought to you by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The week will be filled with fun, family friendly events to help you understand the life and purpose of pollinators. There will be cooking tutorials, science, art, music, gardening, and a LIVE stream of a new documentary film, all dedicated to pollinators. All events will take place virtually.

Register Here

Email for more information

The first Fulton Fresh Mobile Market session will run until July 9, 2 020. The Fulton Fresh Mobile Market was created to educate residents living in communities designated as food deserts on the importance of fresh and in-season produce. This season, participants will take part in online nutrition education module and curbside pick-up instead of in-person activities. 



Every week, attendees will participate in a 10 minute online UGA Extension nutrition education module. On the day of the market, completion of the online module will be verified and participants are given a free bag of in-season produce from our mobile market to take home and prepare. Pick-up will be outdoors, contact-less, and curbside.