In Dunwoody, Georgia, the police department is putting its money where its mouth is in the battle against vice and drugs, launching a focused crime-fighting squad and upping the ante to get experienced officers on board. Over a million dollars has been allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act to fund the new Crime Response Team, according to a FOX 5 Atlanta report. The unit will be led by a sergeant and will include three officers, concentrating on vice operations such as prostitution and the city's significant drug problem.
As police hiring grows more competitive, the standard carrot of $10,000 has been sweetened to a generous $15,000 hiring bonus for new recruits, reported WSB-TV. "We believe the $15,000 bonus will help us attract experienced officers who will make our department, even stronger," Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan purportedly stated in an announcement.
Dunwoody is not just throwing money at the problem, the city is taking a systematic approach to improve the safety of its streets. The Crime Response Team will specialize in tackling drug trafficking, vice crimes, and various other offenses gaining traction in the city. The new unit fills a previously unaddressed gap within the department. "We don't have a specific group responsible for these investigations, it's really a gap in service for our department," Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan told FOX 5 Atlanta.
To ensure the officers stick around, the incentives don't end with the hiring bonus. The payments are spread out over three years as part of a retention strategy, plus the officers score immediate perks like an $800 monthly housing stipend for living within Dunwoody and take-home vehicle program. On top of that, the city sweetens the pot with robust benefits, including 100% city-paid employee medical and dental from day one, vacation days available immediately, and a hefty employer retirement contribution up to 21.2%, according to WSB-TV.
With the addition of this new unit and lucrative incentives in hand, the Dunwoody Police Department appears poised to take a robust stance against criminal activities that have long plagued the community. As the team gears up with additional training, the department hopes that the new focus will pay dividends in reducing the crime rate and improving the quality of life for the citizens of Dunwoody.
