Georgia’s U.S. Sens. John Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock announced that the Norcross Police Department is receiving $450,000 for a new Real-Time Crime Center to strengthen crime prevention.
“According to the Norcross Police Department, the city has seen an increase in property crime, vehicle thefts, and violent incidents in recent years,” the announcement said. “To address these crimes, with the help of federal funding Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock are delivering, Norcross aims to establish a Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) to serve as a centralized command hub that will enable law enforcement to respond more swiftly to incidents and analyze critical public safety data.”
Investing in crime prevention
While the Real-Time Crime Center won’t be up and running when the Norcross Public Safety Building first opens, its new home will be in the city’s new state-of-the-art complex at Buford Highway and Stevens Road. There’s a 1,600-square-foot room waiting for the city’s new RTCC.
“Coordination between law enforcement is necessary to better prevent crime,” Ossoff said. “That’s why Senator Reverend Warnock and I brought Republicans and Democrats together to help build a new central law enforcement command center in Norcross.”
Completion of the new Norcross Public Safety Building is anticipated for mid-August. In a July 1 update, city officials reported that construction crews are in the final stages, preparing the building for daily operations. Here’s the city’s most recent drone footage.
After construction is complete in a couple of weeks, city officials have planned multiple community tours and open houses while staff trains on the building’s new systems before transitioning.
The Norcross Police Department is expected to begin operating from the new building on Sept. 8. Municipal Court operations will follow, with the first court session scheduled for Sept. 14.
Norcross police chief updates
While the senators’ press release cites increasing crime, local officials tell a different story.
In February, Norcross officials reported a roughly 25% drop in overall crime in 2025, with nearly all major categories now well below 10- and 15-year averages. While incidents are declining from pandemic-era peaks, available data indicates the city is well below the national average.
Last year, Norcross activated its real-time camera integration platform, Axon Fusus, which provides a network of license-plate readers and centralizes data for command staff. A similar platform, Flock Safety, has generated more controversy in metro Atlanta and across the country.
Despite concern on both sides of the aisle about privacy violations, mass surveillance, and abuse of AI-powered automated license plate readers (ALPRs), law enforcement agencies have said the technology is critical.
Norcross Police Chief Bill Grogan said his department has not yet received the federal funding but has been aware of the grant. Grogan said some of the Real-Time Crime Center is being implemented next month, but the majority of the project will be completed later this year.
