Gwinnett County is making moves to elevate community safety and nourish its youth this summer with the approval of several important programs and infrastructure upgrades. According to a recent announcement, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners has greenlit enhancements including a significant traffic signal upgrade project and the continuation of gang prevention initiatives.
In a bid to modernize the arteries that run through its heart, Gwinnett County will see traffic signal upgrades at 22 key intersections. Funded by a $9.6 million grant from the Georgia Department of Transportation, this initiative is an effort to bring older signals up to the safety standards of today, a task that the GDOT's Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant is wholly covering—with no local matching of funds needed. Designed based on the condition of intersections, this project is a crucial step in ensuring the safe passage of the County's commuters and pedestrians.
The County’s frontline against gang activity is also bolstering with technological reinforcements. The district attorney's office has secured a $27,280 grant from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to sustain the use of Formulytics, a gang intelligence platform allowing law enforcement agencies to share data and strengthen investigations into gang activities. This collaborative system has been key in aiding law enforcement coordinate and enhance anti-gang prosecutions.
Meanwhile, Gwinnett's Office of Emergency Management will use a GEMA grant worth $50,000, supported by staff salaries, to prepare for unforeseen emergencies. The grant will roll out purchasing radio equipment, solar-powered battery packs, and other essential supplies to enhance support during outdoor operations and for shelters. The declaration of readying the County for emergencies could not be more timely, given the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and other crisis situations.
Children and youth won't be left out this summer either. The Parks and Recreation Department is operating the Summer Meals program, ready to deliver daily breakfasts and lunches to those 18 and younger—and adults over 19 with a disability, from May 27 through Aug. 1. Launched in 2019, the program has served up more than 1.2 million meals, and for the first time, it will be wholly funded by the County's recreation fund, totaling $450,000, ensuring young bellies are filled for the days of summer and leaving no child behind in its scope of care.
And speaking of school-aged children, safety in school zones will remain a tight ship. The County has renewed its contract with RedSpeed Georgia, LLC, through May 2026 for a violator-funded program that's anticipated to bring in $2.7 million. The system, which is integrated with license plate readers, has been successful in curtailing speeding in school zones, thus contributing to the encompassing approach towards fostering safety for Gwinnett's youngest citizens.
