Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

On May 13, 2026, ARCS Atlanta members and guests went on one of the most fascinating and inspiring field trips ever! Organized and arranged by Mary Watson’s husband, Tom, we toured the new Atlanta Public Safety Training Center and heard from Atlanta Police Department experts on the new technology at the center. We watched in real time as a drone was dispatched to an active 911 call and arrived at the scene in just over one minute. With the help of a bus to cover the massive campus, we toured the beautiful new horse barn, the shooting range, the Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, the skid pad and the vehicle skills pad. We saw the Class A burn building, the training fire station, complete with a moving ambulance and human dummies, and the Real-World Training Center with its hotel, convenience store, house, and bar which provide life-like practice for emergency situations.

We learned about the exemplary work of the Atlanta Police Foundation which brings together private sector leaders from the business and philanthropic communities to support public safety initiatives designed to make Atlanta the safest large city in the nation. Its unique public sector/private sector partnership is focused on reducing crime and ensuring that Atlanta’s law enforcement professionals have the best resources, incentives, and training to sustain a highly motivated police force that meets the demands of 21st-century policing.

Many thanks to all the experts at the Public Safety Training Center and to Tom Watson for his invaluable help in coordinating this memorable event.

Thanks From Scholar Emily Bethea

The debt associated with higher education can be overwhelming. As I continue to talk with classmates and friends I realize how truly fortunate I am to have had your generous support which allowed me to take liberties in research and clinical exposure as I progressed through medical school. I think sometimes donations can seem small, or because they are intangible hard to associate with real gain --- I want to make very clear how much I benefited from your generosity. On a daily basis things were easier, meaning I could focus on learning and not worry constantly about how I was going to structure my financial plan. It also allowed me to consider a career path in primary care, and not feel anxious about paying back the large amount of debt I have still accrued. Importantly, it was beneficial to meet and learn from such an extraordinary group of women and supporters. Watching people come together throughout the year was such a touching experience; I believe it was integral to my development to see everyone fighting for something they so strongly believe in. I can’t thank you enough, please know that I'll be able to make more of a difference in the lives of others because you were thoughtful enough to make the difference in mine. I'm still on board, let's keep working to advance science in America!

Thanks From Scholar Louise Giam

I have been an Arnold Beckman scholar for the past three years while working towards my PhD at Northwestern University. I feel extremely privileged to have received support from ARCS and have always enjoyed meeting the members, whether it is talking about the creative event themes, lessons learned from different industries, or how science and technology have changed over the years. ARCS has provided funds that enabled me to attend conferences and meet peers within my field. It has given me peace of mind to focus on research without distractions and the confidence to pursue important scientific questions that my lab would not typically investigate. Most importantly, however, ARCS has conveyed the importance of bridging lab work with the community-at-large and committed me to become involved in creating opportunities for future scientists as well.

Thanks From Scholar Richard Duncan

In addition to financial support, ARCS provided a unique opportunity to connect with people across the city, get a glimpse of the problems other researchers and scholars are solving, and better understand the efforts being made to continue to support math and science education in the US. This "window" into parts of the scientific world outside my own field was an important addition to my doctorate studies, and will greatly inform my future adventures (which remain "to be determined" at the moment).

Atlanta Public Safety Training Center

Recent ARCS Events

Thanks From Scholar Emily Bethea

Thanks From Scholar Louise Giam

Thanks From Scholar Richard Duncan