Politics & Government

Dunwoody City Council Votes Down Second Look at Data-Driven Police Unit

Council members vote against measure, saying expense is too much

A second look at bolstering Dunwoody’s police force was voted down Monday, as the city council voted 4-3 against adding a new data-driven crime unit.

Two weeks prior, Police Chief Billy Grogan put forward adding four people to the department as part of the 2012 budget. The new employees would be part of a unit focused on problem crime and traffic areas in the city, using data to target specific locations and kinds of crimes.

The unit, which would consist of three officers and a sergeant, would cost about $270,000 per year, with an upfront capital cost of around $240,000.

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Several council members balked at the price tag on the unit and it was voted down.

Monday, Councilman John Heneghan, who voted for the proposal at the previous meeting, asked the council to reconsider the measure, putting forth an amendment to the budget.

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“Since that last meeting, I have thoroughly reviewed the crime statistics which only reiterated to me the fact that the City of Dunwoody needs a dedicated crime reduction unit to actively police the areas of town where higher crime rates are prevalent,” he said.

Heneghan said that while fiscal responsibility is a key responsibility for the council, public safety is the highest priority for the use of government funds.

He said the city’s 2012 surplus, even with the additional officers, would nearly $1.5 million.

“To me, this original proposed budget was well-balanced, provided to additional funds for needed police services and it was fiscally sound,” he said.

Councilman Danny Ross, who has been critical of the city’s recent switchover from DeKalb County 911 services to ChatComm, said the city has already spent too much making that change.

“I think where we are is where we should be,” Ross said.

Ross said the existing crime data shows more than half of reported crimes in the city occur in the Perimeter area, including car break-ins and shoplifting, which can be dealt with by putting officers there on a more focused basis.

"It doesn't take a lot of data driving to find out where you need put people," he said. 

Councilman Denis Shortal said the police department should remain at its current size.

“We have good police protection as we stand today,” said Councilman Denis Shortal, pointing out that crime has dropped in comparing 2010 and 2011.

Shortal echoed concerns about the money already spent on the switchover to ChatComm.

“If this is what you wanted, 911 should not have been a priority, which it was,” he said.

Expansion of the department would add too much to the city budget, Shortal added.

“We’re talking big money here, we’re not talking pocket change,” he said.

The amendment was voted down by a vote of 4-3, with council members Heneghan, Adrian Bonser and Mayor Ken Wright voting for it, and Shortal, Ross, Robert Wittenstein and Doug Thompson voting against.


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