After Pedestrian Accident, Increased Police Presence Downtown

Angie Allen went for a morning jog with her dog on Thursday. She was crossing S. Peachtree Street, heading west on Holcomb Bridge Road, when she was struck by a car, according to police. The driver was distracted by her child in the back street and was attempting a left turn.

Allen, the wife of former City Councilmember Jeff Allen, sustained some scrapes and bruises—and her wrist was also broken, according to Cpt. Brian Harr of the Norcross Police Department.

Now the Norcross PD is ramping up its education and enforcement efforts.  They want to do away with any perception that Downtown Norcross is not a place to run, walk a dog or otherwise be a pedestrian, said Harr. 

Harr presented the Council with a letter about the steps they have taken since the accident.

A Norcross PD patrol car was parked on Thrasher Street for four hours, he said yesterday. “We will have a visible presence in the downtown area,” said Harr to the Mayor and Council. 

He said the agency will be evaluating the area for pedestrian safety. They will simultaneously be doing creating some checkpoints to educate drivers about how to proceed in a pedestrian-heavy area.

New electronic signs that display a car’s speed were already on the way when the accident happened—and police hope they will support the effort to get drivers to slow down.