ATLANTA -- DeKalb and Fulton counties have been awarded grants for use by law enforcement agencies to combat child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The grants awarded Tuesday are administrated by the U.S. Department of Justice and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

Federal officials say DeKalb County will receive $496,793 and the Fulton County District Attorney's Office will receive $352,803. They say Atlanta continues to have a reputation as a center of child prostitution.

Twenty grants totaling $9.2 million are being awarded to agencies across the country.

by: Doug Richards | Reporter, 11Alive News

ATLANTA -- On April 16, Grant Park would be the site of an apparently illegal party associated with an event called Freaknic. The organizer, J.K. Jones, has circulated numerous images on email and social media promoting a Greek picnic -- despite the fact that he has no permit nor has he asked the city for one.

That absence of a permit prompted city attorney Cathy Hampton to send a letter to Jones, saying "you are now willfully creating an event that is in direct violation of City law. You must immediately cease and desist your organization of the Greek Picnic and the advertisement of the event." The letter goes on to threaten Jones with prosecution and demands reimbursement for city costs. The city's concern about costs stems from its memory of Freaknik events in the 90s -- which clogged traffic and strained city law enforcement resources.

ATLANTA – (submitted by Fourth Ward Alliance) Neighborhood watch groups are effective because they decrease opportunities for criminals to commit crime.  The added bonus is the cohesiveness it provides between members of your community. 

This workshop will educate you on the most effective ways of identifying and reporting suspicious activity and mobilizing your neighborhood watch program:

• Why is there a need for a neighborhood watch program?
• What is needed to start a neighborhood watch program?
• A perspective on the neighborhood watch program.
• How to get your program started.
• Resources to keep you informed.
• Ways to stay connected - ideas, technology and the internet.

This meeting will be held on Saturday March 12th from 9AM to 12PM at the Clark Harrison Building (Conference Room A) 330 West Ponce de Leon Avenue in Decatur.