Plans to move north police precinct may change

Written By: Daniel Beauregard
5/11/12
Categorized in: DeKalb News

DeKalb County officials said it still plans to relocate the north police precinct from Dunwoody to land next to the DeKalb Peachtree Airport (PDK), but that those plans may change if Brookhaven residents vote “yes” to cityhood.

Currently, the precinct is across from Perimeter Mall on Ashford Dunwoody Road. The county wants the precinct in an unincorporated area of DeKalb instead of in a city such as Dunwoody with its own police force. When Dunwoody incorporated in 2008, the county began looking for other locations and found a plot of land off Clairmont Road next to PDK.

Recently, a bill was passed to allow residents in the Brookhaven area to vote to become a city. If Brookhaven does become a city, county officials expect the city of Chamblee to annex the area where the county planned to relocate the precinct.

DeKalb County spokesman Burke Brennan said although the county is looking at all its options, it is still planning to relocate the precinct next to PDK until it hears otherwise.

In a statement to The Champion, DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis said his administration is evaluating its options regarding the location and construction of a new precinct.

“If the referenda in Brookhaven or Chamblee are approved, any site within those proposed city limits would have to be reconsidered, as it would be outside of the DeKalb County Police Department’s jurisdiction. Until the outcomes of the referenda are known, no final decision will be made,” Ellis said.

Reports have stated the relocation of the precinct is expected to play a role in residents’ vote on cityhood.

Comments (1)

Jay

Said this on 5/11/12 At 05:30 pm

I wonder why in the world the County is even considering building a new precinct. If Brookhaven incorporates and Chamblee annexes more land, there will be almost no unincorporated land west of I-85. There will be no need for both a North and Center precinct, as most of North's territory will be lost to the cities. DeKalb's Center precinct is already located at police headquarters in the Northlake area, and it is in a good location for a slightly larger coverage area with the addition of the few remaining North beats. For a department that isn't able to give raises or other perks to many of its officers, spending a bunch of money on a new building seems wasteful. I know local pols love shiny, new things they can slap a plaque on with their names listed, but Ellis & Co. really need a reality check.

Also, Mr. Beauregard, have those same nebulous "reports" also stated that voters in Brookhaven should be aware that they will get their own police department if they incorporate? Or are you just following in Richard Elliot's lead by trying to scare people into voting against cityhood?

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