Atlanta officials: Motorcycle fires started by ‘anarchists’ aimed at stopping new training center

By SUDHIN THANAWALA
Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum says a fire destroyed eight Atlanta police motorcycles and was one of several recent acts of vandalism by a group aiming to stop construction of a new public safety training center. Schierbaum spoke at a news conference Wednesday with Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The mayor says homemade devices caused a fire early Saturday at Atlanta police’s current training center, destroying the motorcycles. Schierbaum says the same group also smashed the windows of police vehicles earlier. Supporters of the $90 million training center say it would replace inadequate training facilities. Opponents say it could lead to greater police militarization.