Tucker residents are set to convene at 7 p.m. today at Northlake Church of Christ to deliberate on the formation of a new local police department, a proposition sparked by concerns over sluggish emergency response times. This community engagement emerges in the wake of a study reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, revealing the feasibility of an autonomous police force for Tucker, which currently depends on DeKalb County police for law enforcement services.
Highlighted by a study examining more than 65,000 calls over two years, Tucker's 911 response times have proven substantially longer than neighboring cities. "We just want things to improve regardless of who provides that service," Matthew Lee, the executive director of the Tucker-Northlake community improvement district, told 11Alive. The study recommends 53 officers and 10 civilian staff for the inaugural year of a dedicated Tucker Police Department, addressing concerns of business owners affected by recent property crimes.
In response to the study, the City of Tucker issued a statement acknowledging the research facilitated by the Northlake Tucker Community Improvement District. "The City of Tucker will always prioritize the safety of Tucker residents," the City conveyed, signaling a thorough examination of the report's findings, as detailed by 11Alive. In contrast, the DeKalb County CEO, Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, expressed skepticism about the study's completeness, reminding the public that the county has been striving to improve response times and service.
Describing efforts to bolster public safety, Cochran-Johnson cited significant investments in E-911 infrastructure and a Real Time Crime Center. "On-site call response times have improved by more than 21% this year," she remarked in a statement obtained by 11Alive. However, despite recent improvements, the feasibility study by Tucker Community Improvement District stands as a testament to local concerns and a city's pursuit of enhanced security measures tailored to its own streets and people.
The debate around the creation of a Tucker police department is ongoing, with the Tucker City Council yet to present the issue to voters. Should the council move forward, Tucker citizens will have the opportunity to elect the foundation of their own police force, an embodiment of local governance aiming directly at the heart of community safety and responsiveness.
