Latest news with #Cochran-Johnson
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeKalb CEO talks about ‘breaking the model' as she gets ready for first State of the County
Dekalb County's CEO will deliver her first state of the county address Thursday night Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has been on the job just shy of 120 days and is already making history. 'We are breaking the model, or shall I say, we're going beyond that ceiling,' Cochran-Johnson said. Her first State of the County address is already sold out. 'It makes me feel good and it also motivates me because I just feel there's so many people I can't let down, and I owe so much to so many,' Cochran-Johnson said. The former commissioner sat down with Channel 2's Lori Wilson on Wednesday to talk to her about the transition to CEO and if her priorities have changed since taking office. Her answer: an emphatic no. 'I often say I have a PhD. in people and problems,' Cochran-Johnson said. 'The first obligation that we owe to people is a safe environment. Also, at the top of my list has been and remains economic development.' TRENDING STORIES: Another priority for Cochran-Johnson is affordable housing in DeKalb County. 'The American dream has become a dream deferred for a lot of people. Affordable housing isn't affordable, so we have a responsibility to create an environment that allows people to have ownership,' Cochran-Johnson said. During Thursday night's speech, Cochran-Johnson will talk about some of the successes her administration has already had, including hiring a county development director, focusing resources on infrastructure improvements, setting the groundwork to create a DeKalb Police Foundation, getting a bill passed to require surveillance cameras at gas stations and making a multimillion-dollar investment in the recruitment of law enforcement. The CEO told Wilson that this is just the beginning. 'There are so many new things that are on the horizon, right down to a salary and pay grade study. Quality of life. I want DeKalb County and its residents to have the best possible quality of life,' she said.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
DeKalb County expands high-speed pursuit policy amid rising crime concerns
The Brief DeKalb County has expanded its police department's high-speed pursuit policy, including training officers in the Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) to address rising crime. CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson emphasizes the policy's focus on public safety, with stricter evaluation guidelines for pursuits, resulting in recent arrests related to illegal street racing. Critics, including Katrina Harris, express concerns over increased risks and deadly outcomes, citing a rise in innocent bystander fatalities during high-speed pursuits in Georgia. DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County officials have expanded the police department's high-speed pursuit policy. It is a controversial move intended to curb rising crime but one that has sparked concerns over public safety. What we know In a memo issued last month, Interim Police Chief Greg Phillips informed officers that the department will broaden the criteria for initiating vehicle pursuits and begin training officers in the Precision Immobilization Technique, or PIT maneuver — a method used to forcibly stop fleeing vehicles. What they're saying DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, who has been in office less than 100 days, said the changes reflect her administration's focus on improving public safety. "Public safety from not only recruiting officers but keeping people safe — and across DeKalb we have seen quite a spike in street racing," Cochran-Johnson told FOX 5 Atlanta. She said the department's previous lack of training in PIT maneuvers limited its ability to safely apprehend suspects. "Previously, DeKalb County had not trained our officers in the PIT maneuver," she said. "PIT will only be used in times where there is a high risk of adversity to public safety." The updated policy gives officers more discretion in initiating high-speed chases and authorizes the use of PIT under stricter evaluation guidelines. According to Cochran-Johnson, training is already underway and has led to early results: last weekend, officers arrested 11 people for illegal street racing, impounded 10 vehicles, and recovered multiple firearms. Cochran-Johnson acknowledged the risks, but emphasized that every pursuit would be subject to a strict evaluation process. "We recognize the risk," she said, "but this is about balancing enforcement with the need to protect our communities." The other side However, critics argue that the changes could lead to more reckless chases and deadly outcomes. Katrina Harris lost her daughter Katie in October 2023 during a high-speed pursuit involving the Georgia State Patrol, DeKalb County police, and Stonecrest Mountain Police. Katie was struck head-on by a fleeing suspect on Memorial Drive. "October 14, 2023, it was a Saturday," Harris recalled. "He ended up going down Memorial Drive the wrong way and hit my daughter's car. From what I understand, he was going close to 100 miles per hour." Harris said her daughter was one of four innocent bystanders killed in Georgia high-speed pursuits in 2023. "I wish I could've seen her one more time," she said. "I don't see how it could make anyone safer." Dig deeper A Georgia Department of Public Safety review showed that while high-speed pursuits statewide rose only slightly — from 1,673 in 2022 to 1,680 in 2023 — the number of innocent bystanders killed during those chases quadrupled. DeKalb County ranked second in the state for total pursuits in 2022 and third in 2023. The Source FOX 5's Joi Dukes spoke with DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Katrina Harris lost her daughter Katie in October 2023 during a high-speed pursuit for this article.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeKalb Co. police officers receive pay raises
Beginning today, hundreds of DeKalb County police officers are benefitting from a pay increase. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochrane-Johnson wanted to give officers big raises, plus stipends to make it easier to afford to live in their communities. Her goal is to have DeKalb County offer some of the highest salaries in the metro Atlanta area. To do so, county officials said they would be moving funds from different parts of the county budget to invest $10.43 million into the effort. The following salary adjustments are now in effect: Police Recruits: Base salary increased to $61,000 ($64,050 with a degree) Police Officers: Base salary increased to $62,525 ($65,651 with a degree) Police Officer Senior: New base salary of $70,000 ($73,500 with a degree) Master Police Officers, Helicopter Pilots, Sergeants, Lieutenants, Captains, and Majors received a 7.1% salary increase 'This pay increase is not just about numbers—it's about valuing the men and women who put their lives on the line every day for DeKalb County. Investing in public safety is an investment in economic development, property values, and the well-being of our entire community My administration is committed to ensuring our officers have the support, resources, and respect they deserve,' Cochran-Johnson said in a statement. 'Investing in public safety is an investment in economic development, property values, and the well-being of our entire community. My administration is committed to ensuring our officers have the support, resources, and respect they deserve.' The county is looking to fill the roughly 300 open police officer positions. The county said the DeKalb County Police Department has 841 funded sworn positions, but only 531 of those are filled. The police department will hold a recruiting event on Saturday, March 8 at 9 a.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Atlanta tire shop owner shot, killed by employee before owner's son shoots him, friend says Another Delta flight forced to turn back to Atlanta shortly after takeoff over engine issue 3-year-old killed in DeKalb County wreck [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeKalb County to invest $10.4 million in police recruitment, increase officer pay
Officers at the DeKalb County Police Department are likely to see higher salaries as the county works to recruit more personnel and increase recruitment. According to county officials, DeKalb County will use a 'strategic reallocation of existing resources' to fully fund a $10.43 million investment in the police department, all without raising taxes. Doing so, the county will work to fill the roughly 300 open police officer positions currently vacant at DKPD. 'Public safety is a priority, and our budget should reflect that,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said in a statement. 'This plan allows us to invest in our officers in a fiscally responsible way by making better use of existing resources. We are not raising taxes—we are simply ensuring our budget aligns with the needs of our community.' [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] County officials said there are currently 841 funded sworn officer positions for DKPD, but only 531 are actually filled. 'Competing jurisdictions have attracted officers away with higher pay and better benefits, making it more difficult for DeKalb to fill vacancies. By offering more competitive compensation and incentives, this initiative aims to reverse that trend and position DeKalb as a leading destination for law enforcement careers,' the county said. Additionally, the county will be undertaking a pension plan review, forming a new public safety task force focused on recruitment and retention and doing a comprehensive operational review to help modernize DKPD. TRENDING STORIES: GA woman sues fertility clinic, says she gave birth to another patient's baby Wintry mix in mountains, cold light rain for metro Atlanta moving through Postal worker accused of stealing credit cards from mail on her route With the planned investment, DeKalb County officials say they'll be one of the highest paid departments in the Atlanta metro area. 'We are taking a responsible and proactive approach to ensure our community is protected,' Cochran-Johnson said. 'By making better use of our current budget, we can improve public safety, enhance officer recruitment, and retain the dedicated professionals who serve DeKalb County—without passing any additional costs to taxpayers.' Here's a look at what the $10.43 million will pay for, according to county officials: 7.1% salary increase for Police Majors and Captains New hiring rates and incentives for Police Officers at all levels Total investment: $6.5 million Master Police Officer $75,000 minimum Senior Police Officer $70,000 minimum Police Officer and Police Recruit $61,000 hiring rate; with degree $64,050,000 hiring rate Holiday pay for sworn officers – $1.85 million annually Sick leave compensation program – $418,000 annually Housing allowance to assist officers living in DeKalb County – $804,000 Annuity benefits for officers – $252,000 Referral incentives – Up to $10,000 per certified officer recruited [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
