At a gathering attended by city leaders and law enforcement officials, the Dunwoody Police Department proudly showcased its latest initiative to bolster public safety – a state-of-the-art Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). Positioned within police headquarters at 4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road, this technological hub is set to bring a new level of efficiency to the way emergencies are handled and crimes are investigated in the city.
"The RTCC makes the tools we have for responding to emergencies and investigating crimes more effective," said Dunwoody Police Chief Mike Carlson in a city news release. A concerted effort to seamlessly integrate technology into public safety, the center has been equipped with an array of advanced tools. These include the City’s license plate recognition cameras, gunshot detection systems, police body cameras, Condor pan-tilt cameras, Flock OS 911, call geolocation, and access to third-party video feeds, trying to ensure that emergency response is as informed and immediate as possible.
With a significant investment of $360,000 drawn from SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds, the RTCC transformed what was once a police roll call room into a sophisticated command center. "Our investments in LPRs and other crime-fighting technology have already paid off by helping officers solve cases and prevent crimes," said Dunwoody City Manager Eric Linton during the unveiling, according to the same news release. The RTCC is expected to further leverage this technology for the benefit of both law enforcement and the Dunwoody community.
Staffing this cutting-edge facility will be crime analysts and Dunwoody Public Safety Ambassadors, a core team of non-sworn personnel trained to work hand in hand with police. The real-time video and audio capabilities are believed to be a significant "force multiplier for public safety, allowing police to cover more of our community at any given time," Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch noted, emphasizing the RTCC’s expected impact on the city's safety landscape, as per the city's news release.
At the ceremony, the RTCC was also dedicated to former Dunwoody Police Chief Billy J. Grogan as an acknowledgement of his pioneering vision in the foundation of the Dunwoody Police Department. Chief Carlson reflected on this moment of respect by sharing his gratitude for the legacy that shaped the police force's approach to community safety.
