Cobb reports 23% drop in crime; leaders seek to expand co-response mental-health programs

Cobb County leaders said Wednesday that reported crime fell 23% last year and described plans to expand mental-health co-response and nonemergency assistance programs.

"We saw a 23% drop in crime. That's a historic drop in crime just last year alone," Chairwoman Lisa Cupid said, thanking the Cobb Police Department and calling public safety a countywide partnership.

Cupid described several programs designed to reduce law-enforcement contacts and direct specialized help to residents with behavioral-health needs. She cited the PATH program in the police department and the CARES program in the fire department and said both offer proactive outreach and connections to services. "It currently does not operate 24/7, and so it's my goal that if not this year, next year, we get funding so we can operate, 24/7," she said.

The chairwoman also highlighted a citizen-assist program ("cart program") that assigns trained volunteers to nonemergency calls so sworn officers can focus on violent crime. She credited technology improvements such as a real-time crime center for improved response.

Officials praised the county—s 911 center for an international certification and said it answers a large share of calls within seconds. Cupid said the center "respond[s] within 90, you know, 93% of the time they respond within 15 seconds." She also noted recognition and awards for the sheriff—s office and other public-safety departments.

Cupid and others said the county plans to pursue funding and staffing to widen co-response hours, scale the citizen assistance program, and maintain technology investments. No ordinance or funding appropriation was approved at the State of the County address; the chairwoman asked the commission and residents to support upcoming budget efforts for these priorities.