Q&A on the News

Q: Who is responsible for maintenance of the traffic humps on Atlanta neighborhood streets? Many of their white triangles have worn so badly that they are impossible to see at night. I am also curious about the purpose of the small, glowing blue lights high up on many city telephone poles. —Susan Rawls, Atlanta

A: Atlanta’s Department of Public Works is responsible for maintaining the traffic humps, and recruits the public’s help in identifying city streets and street markings that need repairs. The city asks residents and visitors to submit reports of needed repairs by visiting atl311.com or by dialing 311, Christina Cruz-Benton, a city of Atlanta spokeswoman, told Q&A on the News via email. Periodic street assessments also evaluate the need for repairs.

“The city is currently working on a plan to conduct a citywide street assessment to evaluate the condition of necessary street markings,” she wrote.

The blue lights are cameras used in Operation Shield, launched by the Atlanta Police Foundation and Atlanta Police Department in 2007. More than 7,800 cameras in private and public areas can be accessed by the APD video integration center, Donielle Manning, Operation Shield manager, told Q&A on the News via email. The lights, along with posted signs, make the camera locations highly visible.

“This strategy sends a strong message to criminals that the area (is) surveilled and recorded, creating the deterrent effect,” Manning wrote.

Also, when an Atlanta resident calls 911, the closest four cameras begin to play footage. Crime rates in surveilled areas have decreased an average of 20 percent since implementation.

Fast Copy News Service wrote this column; Thomas Hartwell contributed. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).