Latest news with #LorraineCochran-Johnson
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DeKalb County officials say there are more than $100M in unpaid water bills
DeKalb County officials are responding to advocates who want water shut-offs to stop for low-income residents. The county announced on Wednesday that they are establishing an office to work with those who have difficulty paying their water bill. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Channel 2's Audrey Washington details how the payment plan works, LIVE on Channel 2 Action News at Noon. DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said the county currently has more than $104,719,000 in delinquent water bills. They say as long as people with hardships communicate with them, they will work on establishing a payment plan without turning off their water service. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
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
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Decatur announces 2026 FIFA World Cup ‘Watchfest' event
The City of Decatur has big plans when the FIFA World Cup comes to Atlanta next summer. On Tuesday, Decatur city and DeKalb County leaders announced 'Decatur Watchfest' events to coincide with soccer games at the Mercedes-Benz stadium next year. Advertisement Fans will be able to watch the matches at pubs, restaurants, and public spaces. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'The World Cup is the equivalent of five Super Bowls. There will be billions of dollars spent and this is going to require an activation across the metro area,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said. The World Cup happens between June 11 and July 19 next summer. Atlanta will host eight games at the stadium. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Operation Safe Streets: DeKalb County police announce new safety checkpoints
The DeKalb County Police Department announced Friday that homicides in the county were down almost 49% but they were taking new steps to deter crime in the community. According to DKPD, they'll be deploying new safety checkpoints in 'high crime areas' to both deter crime and reduce traffic fatalities. The new strategy is being called 'Operation Safe Streets,' according to the police department. The program has already been rolled out, with a checkpoint operation on April 11. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] During the 'aggressive countywide effort' to prevent crime and reckless driving, DKPD's Special Operations Division set up on Memorial Drive near Candler Road for a two-hour checkpoint. At the checkpoint, officers screened drivers for valid driver's licenses, registration, insurance, impaired driving and equipment violations, while passing out traffic safety and educational materials. TRENDING STORIES: 'A long three hours': Local students visiting FSU describe moments mass hooting broke out Police activity at Fulton County motel; part of I-20 blocked Cartersville standoff suspect identified, accused of breaking through wall of neighbor's apartment 'As CEO, public safety is my top priority,' DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said in a statement. 'Whether it's reducing violent crime or preventing street racing, my administration is committed to supporting proactive policing efforts that keep DeKalb residents safe. The progress we are seeing—particularly the nearly 49% reduction in homicides compared to this time last year—is a testament to the dedication and strategic coordination of our law enforcement agencies.' Over the April 11 weekend, police made six arrests, issued 60 traffic citations and recovered 1.5 pounds of marijuana in addition to seizing multiple vehicles. DKPD said there have been 26 motor vehicle fatalities in the county this year, so far, with the main reasons being impaired driving and speeding. 'This type of operation helps us reduce crashes, identify impaired drivers, and ensure that motorists are operating their vehicles safely and legally,' Interim DKPD Police Chief Gregory Padrick. 'Our goal is not just enforcement—but prevention. We want to stop tragedies before they happen and build stronger relationships with the communities we serve.' County officials said the safety checkpoint also came after a 'successful joint Georgia State Patrol-DeKalb Police operation' that had officers infiltrate an 'organized street racing ring,' which led to 11 arrests, 10 impounded cars, recovery of guns and four people with outstanding felony warrants. Cochran-Johnson said she will do everything she can to be tough on crime in the county and that 'we have too many people living in fear of street racers, car invasions and lawless individuals,' promising to 'double down' on undercover operations. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
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.
