For the past six weeks, Atlanta mayoral candidate Kasim Reed has campaigned on rooting out violent criminals from the city. Now, crime is affecting his campaign in a personal way.

Two of Reed’s staff members were carjacked Monday night outside of his campaign headquarters in Southwest Atlanta.

On Tuesday, Reed held a press conference, where he reiterated his concern about muggings, armed robberies and murders.

That’s despite a recent FBI report that shows violent offenses is down in the city overall.

“Although you’re statistics may go down somewhat, and I candidly challenge that assessment, the fact of the matter is I believe that criminals turn to violence faster than they did in the Atlanta that I knew.”

Reed has said his number one priority if elected mayor would be to reduce the crime rate in Atlanta.

“I’m more convinced than ever. This kind of violence simply cannot stand in our city any longer, and we have to do whatever it takes to keep the citizens of Atlanta safe.”

One of the victims was Olympic track star Monique Hennagan, who won gold medals in the 1,600-meter relay in the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics. She was walking to her with deputy field director Tylor Pryor. According to Reed’s campaign, a man with a gun demanded they drop their car keys to the ground. Hennagan’s vehicle was later reported stolen.

The two other top candidates in the mayoral race have also made crime a signature issue.

Atlanta City Councilwoman Mary Norwood said she would fire the chief of police, who she says has failed in her eyes to keep the city safe.

City Council President Lisa Borders says the crime problem can only be fixed after Atlanta solves its budget problems.

Contributors: John Sepulvado

Tags: Atlanta, Kasim Reed, mayor's race