DeKalb County CEO Cochran-Johnson announces launch of $18M “Digital Shield” camera technology to fight crime

DEKALB COUNTY, GA- DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson today announced the launch of Digital Shield, an $18.9 million countywide initiative that will deploy Flock Safety technology to strengthen public safety and fight crime across DeKalb. The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the investment, positioning DeKalb as a metro Atlanta leader in technology-driven crime prevention.

“Digital Shield is about protecting every corner of DeKalb,” said CEO Cochran-Johnson. “This unprecedented investment gives our police department the tools to prevent crime, solve cases faster, and give residents the peace of mind they deserve. This is a defining moment for how we reimagine public safety in our county.”

Digital Shield will leverage advanced license plate recognition and real-time data sharing to help police track stolen vehicles, identify suspects, and provide critical leads during investigations. Cameras will be strategically placed along major corridors, neighborhood entry points, and high-traffic intersections to ensure broad coverage.

Key features of Digital Shield include:

• Countywide deployment of Flock cameras at data identified locations
• Integration with the Real Time Crime Center to support live monitoring and investigations
• Collaboration with neighboring jurisdictions that already use Flock technology
• Safeguards to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical data use

The launch of Digital Shield builds on a series of major public safety investments by CEO Cochran-Johnson’s administration, including the reallocation of funds to provide significant pay and benefits increases for police officers, making DeKalb among the most competitive law enforcement employers in metro Atlanta. The administration has also prioritized new recruitment initiatives, officer training, and retention strategies to ensure the department is equipped with both the people and the tools needed to keep communities safe.

CEO Cochran-Johnson praised the Board of Commissioners for their support:

“I want to thank the Board for unanimously approving this investment. With Digital Shield, and through our ongoing commitment to supporting and investing in our officers, DeKalb is taking bold steps to strengthen public safety and protect the security of our residents.”

Implementation of Digital Shield will begin immediately, with full deployment expected within the next year. To learn more about DeKalb County’s partnership with Flock Technology visit DeKalb County’s Digital Shield Initiative.