The Tucker City Council approved an ordinance on March 9, amending the city’s loitering code, marking the beginning of an expanded partnership with DeKalb County Police Department.
The ordinance, approved unanimously during the meeting, amends the city’s loitering code to mirror the changes made to DeKalb County’s code in March 2025. The ordinance adds establishments that sell alcohol, car service stations, convenience stores, and extended-stay motels to the list of spaces where loitering is unlawful.
With the change, Tucker’s leaders discussed implementing the new Loitering Enforcement Authorization Program with DKPD. By signing onto the program, businesses enable DKPD to enforce loitering laws on their properties by providing written authorization and placing public signage.
The program is designed to remove friction in loitering enforcement, allowing for police to enforce the rule even when the business is closed or when a representative of the business is not present.
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Alexis Weaver, representing District 3, was vocal during the meeting about unhoused residents of Tucker, expressing concern about how the program could affect them.
“There was a lot of vitriol coming from a lot of people in the business community about unhoused people,” Weaver said, “and I think there’s a lot of work for us to do to understand that just because people don’t have homes doesn’t mean that they’re not a part of our community.”
Weaver emphasized that as Mayor Anne Lerner and members of the city council continue working on the anti-loitering program, she would be working just as hard to increase access to housing services.
Another ordinance approved during March 9’s meeting created a special city compactor district, which Tucker Assistant to the City Manager Micah Seibel said would consolidate waste collection and reduce the number of dumpsters downtown.
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Several contracts were also awarded by the mayor and members of city council for the development of a Henderson Park master plan through a 27-week community engagement strategy, construction on Idlewood Road roundabouts, and pipe restoration at 3476 Canadian Way and 5256 Antelope Lane.
