Mayor Andre Dickens—in partnership with the Georgia Aquarium—has launched an initiative to provide the City’s sworn officers the opportunity to visit the aquarium free of charge this September. Sworn officers with Atlanta’s Police, Fire and Corrections Departments, as well as E-911 employees, can visit the aquarium with their families for free this month.

“Our police, corrections officers, fire rescue personnel and E-911 operators are invaluable to our work in building One Safe City, together,” said Mayor Dickens. “Day and night, rain or shine, our public safety officials work to keep us safe, and we recognize the sacrifices that both they and their families make. This free access to Georgia Aquarium is one small way we can thank them for their dedication to our communities. I thank the team at Georgia Aquarium for working with me to extend this access.”

“Georgia Aquarium is proud to partner with Mayor Andre Dickens on this important program,” said Dr. Brian Davis, President and CEO of Georgia Aquarium. “Not only is the Aquarium a hub for conservation and education, but we are also a retreat and a reminder of the importance of nature and how greatly it impacts us all. We provide our guests with the opportunity to experience the tranquility of water and the beauty of aquatic animals. Our hope is through the Mayor’s program, that sworn employees and their families can do just that as they have given so much back to the communities they serve.”

Through the City’s recent budget cycle, Mayor Dickens secured additional compensation for Atlanta’s public safety personnel—including bonuses to police personnel at all ranks, raises for firefighters a year ahead of schedule and expanded premium pay for the City’s frontline workers.