A public safety and feasibility study led by the Tucker-Northlake Community Improvement District concludes that that a dedicated city police department is economically feasible and could increase response times significantly.
The $45,000 study, commissioned by the Tucker-Northlake CID in January with funding from groups that included the Tucker Summit CID, Tucker Civic Association, Tucker Business Association, and Tucker Main Street Alliance, “analyzed two years of 911 dispatch data, interviewed business and civic leaders and compared Tucker’s current policing structure with those of neighboring cities,” according to a release from the Tucker-Northlake CID.
Northlake-Tucker CID Executive Director Matthew Lee told Rough Draft that the study, which was released Sept. 5, came about because of a “gradual buildup” of concerns about crime in the Tucker area “with no clear path forward.”
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“We respect the work of the DeKalb County Police Department but we are looking for solutions that that best serve our community,” Lee said.
The report said the CID has kept DeKalb County Police and Tucker officials informed throughout the process.
“We appreciate their stewardship over taxpayer resources, and interest in our vision to make Tucker the safest community in DeKalb and one of the safest in metro Atlanta,” the report said.
Lee said the study, conducted by the Georgia Department of Chiefs of Police, had several key takeaways concerning response times for 911 calls when comparing it to cities that had their own police department.
The study found that DeKalb 911 dispatch times for Tucker were 4.9 times longer than Brookhaven and 4.3 times longer than Dunwoody, based on an analysis of about 65,000 calls for service.
In addition, DeKalb Police response times for high-priority calls in Tucker were 3.2 times longer than Brookhaven and 1.5 times longer than Dunwoody.
Lee said Tucker property owners in 2024 paid DeKalb County $15.9 million in taxes for police services, compared to Brookhaven’s $15 million and Dunwoody’s $14.3 million. Both cities have larger populations than Tucker.
The study estimates that a city-run department could be launched for about $10.7 million, which includes salaries, vehicles, technology, and equipment. That number did not include several common elements of other city-run departments like K-9 units, drone equipment, or a real-time crime center, Lee said.
“However, with $5 million available [the difference between DeKalb and the Tucker cost estimate], there would be wiggle room for additional services,” Lee said.
The study recommends hiring 53 sworn officers and 10 civilian staff in the first year, running a 12-hour shift model, as opposed to DeKalb’s 10-hour shifts.
Another problem that would be addressed by a dedicated department would be coverage area, Lee said. The DeKalb’s Police Tucker Precinct currently serves 40 square miles, which includes areas outside city limits. A Tucker force would exclusively cover the city’s 20 square miles.
Since 2018, the Northlake-Tucker PCID, along with funds supplied by District 1 DeKalb County, has paid for off-duty police officers to patrol the CID’s designated area, which covers about 4.5 square miles.
“Ideally, we would not need this [with a designated police force],” Lee said. “It would be great for us to get out of the public safety business.”
An open forum sponsored by the Tucker Civic Association regarding the study will be held on Sept. 9 at Northlake Church of Christ, 1625 Cooledge Rd. in Tucker.
In order for the plan to move forward, the Tucker City Council would have to authorize a referendum for voters to decide whether or not they want a dedicated police department. Then the city would enter into various Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with DeKalb County. The study estimated that establishing the force would take 12 to 18 months.
Rough Draft Atlanta has reached out to Tucker city officials for comment on the study.
“The City of Tucker acknowledges the study commissioned by the Northlake-Tucker Community Improvement District and appreciates the collaborative efforts of our partner organizations,” a statement from the city said. “While the report was not produced or requested by the city, we recognize the valuable information it may contain, and are actively reviewing its contents.”
The City of Tucker will always prioritize the safety of Tucker residents,” the statement continued. “We look forward to the formal presentation next week and will have further comment as soon as we are able to give it the thorough analysis it deserves.”