By Milton Kirby | Decatur, GA | December 19, 2025

DeKalb County officials on Thursday marked a major milestone in the County’s public safety strategy with the official launch of its new Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), a $2 million, high-tech operations hub designed to deliver faster response times, improved coordination, and enhanced officer safety.

The ribbon cutting and press conference were held at the DeKalb County Police Department Headquarters, located at 1960 W. Exchange Place in Tucker, where the RTCC now serves as the County’s centralized hub for live data, analytics, and coordinated response. County leaders described the center as a cornerstone of the Digital Shield Initiative, a comprehensive public safety strategy led by DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson.

“These investments represent a bold, forward-thinking approach to public safety,” Cochran-Johnson said. “By leveraging technology, we are strengthening officer safety, improving response times, and reimagining how we protect every DeKalb resident.”

A Central Hub for Real-Time Intelligence

Housed within police headquarters, the RTCC functions as a command center where civilian analysts and sworn officers monitor hundreds of live video feeds and data streams simultaneously. The system is designed to provide officers with real-time intelligence during active calls, giving them critical situational awareness before arriving on scene.

“This center strengthens our ability to prevent crime, support victims, and deliver the level of service that our residents expect and deserve,” said DeKalb County Police Chief Gregory Padrick, a longtime DeKalb professional recently promoted from within the department.

Following the ribbon-cutting, attendees toured the facility and observed live demonstrations of the RTCC’s capabilities, including a Drone as a First Responder deployment that showed how drones can be rapidly launched to provide aerial views during emergencies, active pursuits, or missing-person cases.

The Digital Shield Initiative: A Countywide Investment

The Real Time Crime Center is one component of the County’s broader Digital Shield Initiative, a multi-year, $18.9 million investment in public safety technology. The initiative integrates multiple tools into a single operational platform, enabling faster, more coordinated responses across agencies.

Key components include license plate recognition cameras deployed throughout the county to help track stolen vehicles and suspects in real time, an integrated data platform that connects video, alerts, and analytics into one interface, and a dedicated drone program focused on law-enforcement-specific use rather than general surveillance. The RTCC also integrates gunshot detection technology capable of pinpointing the location of gunfire, in some cases, before a 911 call is placed.

County officials emphasized that these tools are intended to support officers in the field, improve response times, and reduce risk during volatile situations.

Partnership With Flock Safety and “Safe County” Designation

A major partner in the RTCC is Flock Safety, which announced during the event that DeKalb County has been designated the first “Flock Safe County” in the nation. The designation reflects a full countywide deployment of Flock technology, connecting law enforcement, fire services, traffic, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods on a shared platform.

“This real-time crime center combines what is truly the most innovative stack of technology a county could imagine,” said Greg Langley, CEO of Flock Safety. “From license plate readers to drones, cameras, and audio detection, all of it is unified in a modern AI intelligence suite.”

As part of the designation, DeKalb County residents and businesses are eligible for discounted Flock Safety solutions and free installation, expanding participation beyond government facilities.

Privacy Protections and Voluntary Participation

County leaders stressed that participation by residents and businesses is voluntary and tiered. Through the Connect DeKalb camera registry, property owners may choose to register the location of their cameras or, for higher-traffic businesses, integrate live feeds accessible only to police during emergencies.

Officials emphasized that the RTCC does not use facial recognition technology. Instead, artificial intelligence tools are limited to identifying objects of interest, such as specific vehicle types or weapons, a safeguard designed to balance effectiveness with privacy and public trust.

Regional Perspective and Proven Results

During the ceremony, Lisa Cupid, Chairwoman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, shared her experience with Flock Safety technology, which is already in use across Cobb County. Cupid noted that the deployment of Flock’s license plate readers and integrated analytics has contributed to public safety improvements of up to 25 percent, offering a regional example of how real-time intelligence can deliver measurable results.

Her remarks underscored the growing regional trend toward data-driven policing and inter-agency coordination.

Leadership Transitions and Unified Public Safety

The opening of the RTCC follows recent leadership appointments within DeKalb County government. In addition to Chief Padrick’s promotion, former DeKalb Fire Chief Darnell Fullum was elevated to Director of Public Safety, consolidating oversight of police, fire, and emergency services.

County officials also recognized and thanked outgoing leadership for their service during the transition period.

Technology, Youth, and Long-Term Crime Prevention

While technology took center stage, Cochran-Johnson emphasized that digital tools alone cannot address the root causes of crime.

“We understand that investing strictly in technology does not solve the problem of crime,” she said. “Crime is deeply rooted in economics.”

As part of a broader prevention strategy, the CEO outlined a coordinated effort to ensure that by 11th grade, every student in DeKalb County has a designated career pathway. Those pathways align with 18 skilled trades currently offered at no cost through programs supported by the State of Georgia, creating direct pipelines into high-demand careers and long-term economic stability.

The County also highlighted partnerships aimed at youth engagement and prevention, including a recent grant from QuikTrip to the DeKalb County Athletic League to support community-based programming. Additional partnerships with DeKalb County Schools are expected to be announced in January.

What Comes Next

Beginning in January, DeKalb County plans to host public town halls to provide residents with more information about the Real Time Crime Center, privacy safeguards, and opportunities for community participation.

As Cochran-Johnson framed it, the RTCC is more than a facility; it represents a shift in philosophy toward proactive, coordinated, and prevention-focused public safety.

The CEO further noted that the Real Time Crime Center supports the County’s broader Reimagine DeKalb vision — building safer, more connected, and more resilient communities by pairing technology with economic opportunity and community trust.

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