DeKalb County opens real-time crime center, pledges $21M in six-year technology investment

DeKalb County on Thursday formally opened its first real-time crime center, county leaders said, describing the facility as a move from reactive policing toward a coordinated, data-driven model intended to speed responses, aid investigations and support officers in the field.

"Today marks an important milestone for DeKalb County as we officially launch our first real-time crime center," said Deanna Smith, DeKalb County Chief Communications Officer, at the start of the event. Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran Johnson said the center is part of the county's "Digital Shield" initiative and framed the investment as focused on prevention, faster response and accountability.

Cochran Johnson said the physical buildout of the center cost $2,000,000 and that the county has contracted roughly $18,900,000 in technology expenditures over six years; together she and other officials described the total as "about $21,000,000." "This investment is about prevention, speed and also about accountability," Cochran Johnson said, adding that the county reallocated more than $10,400,000 to increase police salaries and benefits to aid recruitment and retention.

Chief Gregor…