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DeKalb County’s Initiative for Improved Public Safety

News Summary

DeKalb County is launching a real-time crime center to enhance public safety, featuring advanced technology for crime prevention and rapid response. This facility will centralize surveillance, data analysis, and emergency coordination, significantly improving law enforcement operations. The initiative includes increased police salaries and new collaborative strategies with state troopers to tackle rising crime rates and pedestrian fatalities. This comprehensive approach aims to foster a safer community through innovation and collaboration.

DeKalb County’s Bold Step Towards Enhanced Public Safety

DeKalb County is gearing up for a transformative leap into the future of law enforcement with the upcoming real-time crime center. The groundbreaking ceremony is set for this Friday, marking an exciting new chapter in the fight against crime. This ambitious project aims to leverage cutting-edge technology to prevent and deter crime, while also enabling swift apprehension of perpetrators.

Creating a Tech-Forward Infrastructure

The real-time crime center will serve as a central hub for a variety of crucial functions. Locations for surveillance, data analysis, and emergency response coordination will all be concentrated in this facility. This tech-forward infrastructure is designed to empower law enforcement officers with immediate intelligence, speeding up investigations and enhancing community safety.

County officials have actively sought out best practices by touring multiple crime centers in the Atlanta area, ensuring that the new center is built on a foundation of proven strategies. The center promises an upgrade in how data is captured, analyzed, and acted upon — a vital aspect of modern policing.

Investments in Law Enforcement

In line with these technological advancements, the county has rolled out salary increases for police officers effective from March 1. This move is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at improving recruitment, retention, and boosting overall morale among the force. A recent recruitment event saw participation from 83 candidates, with 35 advancing in the application process, demonstrating the positive effect of these changes.

Enhanced Policing Strategies

New policing strategies are also on the horizon, fostering collaboration with state troopers and revising existing police pursuit policies. These changes will allow county officers greater freedom to pursue suspects and involve state troopers patrolling DeKalb’s highways. This initiative comes in response to rising pedestrian fatalities and incidents of reckless street racing in the area.

The updated policies include revisiting the use of the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) during vehicle pursuits. While this maneuver can effectively disable fleeing vehicles, its use will be closely regulated following insights from the U.S. Department of Justice, which suggests such pursuits should only occur under specific conditions, particularly in cases of violent crime.

Addressing Concerns about Street Racing

The CEO has underscored the imperative need to deter street racing, which has been exacerbated by previous restrictions on police chases. To successfully implement these expanded chase policies and the PIT maneuver, the county will need new patrol vehicles and additional training for officers.

Strengthening Collaborations

Furthermore, a renewed alliance with the Georgia State Patrol will intensify law enforcement presence on state roads, especially in areas prone to pedestrian fatalities. By joining the National Public Safety Partnership, DeKalb County is also set to enhance law enforcement capabilities through collaboration with federal agencies, presenting an all-encompassing approach to safeguarding the community.

With these critical initiatives, DeKalb County is steadfast in its commitment to forging a safer environment for all residents, proving that innovation and collaboration are key in the ongoing battle against crime.