Key Points:
• DeKalb County Police Department opens $2 million Real Time Crime Center.
• The center enhances response times and public safety measures with live video feeds.
• “These investments represent a bold, forward-thinking approach to public safety.” – DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson
DeKalb County Police Department recently unveiled its $2 million Real Time Crime Center in Tucker, a modernized hub for monitoring live video feeds, enhancing response times, and improving technology-driven public safety measures.
The RTCC is a key element of DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson’s Digital Shield Initiative, a comprehensive strategy designed to prevent crime, enhance real-time response, and support law enforcement with modern, data-driven tools. In addition to the center, the county has committed $18.9 million to expand Flock Safety technology countywide, including license plate readers and fixed cameras to deter crime, assist investigations, and improve response times.
“These investments represent a bold, forward-thinking approach to public safety,” Cochran-Johnson said in a statement. “Through the Real Time Crime Center, our expanded Digital Shield Initiative, and strategic partnerships, we are using technology to prevent crime, respond faster, and reimagine what public safety looks like for every DeKalb resident.”
On Dec. 19, a select group of guests toured the RTCC to get a sense of what the capabilities are for the center with live demonstrations including a live drone first-responder demonstration. The demo displayed how the drones can be quickly deployed to survey a crime scene and assist officers.
“These tools allow us to see more, know more, and act faster,” said DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick. “The Real Time Crime Center strengthens officer safety, improves coordination, and gives us the real-time intelligence needed to better protect our communities.”
During the live demonstration and tour, Flock Safety, a public safety technology company, announced DeKalb County’s designation as a Flock Safe County, a coordinated public safety model that connects law enforcement, fire services, traffic, schools, public works, businesses, and neighborhoods onto a shared technology platform.
The designation offers DeKalb County residents and businesses safety monitoring incentives, including 10 percent off Flock Safety solutions and free installation to coordinate with the countywide monitoring efforts.
The RTCC opening comes after DeKalb County’s investment of $8 million this year in E-911 upgrades to provide state-of-the-art call-taking and dispatching, which has improved the county’s overall on-site call response times by more than 21 percent in 2025, Padrick explained in a November public safety meeting. The county is currently working on mobile units and the Flock Safety digital surveillance will add more than 300 cameras and drones across DeKalb County, including many planned in Tucker.
The technological advances are aligned with the appointment of new leadership in DeKalb County. Padrick was promoted from interim chief of police to chief recently, and Darnell Fullum, former DeKalb County fire chief, was named director of public safety earlier this month.
“These internal promotions reflect our commitment to experienced leadership, accountability, and continuity as we advance our public safety priorities,” Cochran-Johnson said.