DeKalb police join public-safety broadband network to fight crime

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The DeKalb County Office of Public Safety is one of the first large law enforcement outfits in Georgia to join a wireless networking system to improve its crimefighting efforts.

The nationwide public-safety broadband network, FirstNet, is designed to give first responders “a reliable and highly secure connection to needed infor- mation.”

The network is built by AT&T in public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Author- ity, which was established by Congress.

“DeKalb County has embraced technology to aid crime-reduction efforts and improve public safety,” said Joseph “Jack” H. Lumpkin, deputy chief operating officer of public safety. “First- Net will enhance the coun- ty’s public-safety response by providing unprecedented coverage, connectivity and interaction during everyday situations and emergency events.”

The office of public safety includes the county’s departments for police, fire, ani- mal control, 911, emergency management and the medi- cal examiner.

As a subscriber to FirstNet, the agencies will use the system to share data and information in real time, such as criminal records, police database information, pho- tos and surveillance video.

FirstNet will complement DeKalb County’s recent technology upgrades such as the new E911 software system, which went live in April. Provided by TriTech Software Systems, the $8.8 million computer-aided dispatch system has improved how the county’s 911 center dispatches police, fire rescue, emergency medical services, Marshal’s Office and the Sheriff ’s Office.

DeKalb began migrating to the FirstNet broadband network platform in January, with the DeKalb County Police Department becoming the first police department in Georgia to subscribe to the system. The county completed full implementation in July and is also working with its 12 municipalities on adopting FirstNet countywide.

Staff writer Denver Ellison contributed to this story.

JOHN SPINK / JSPINK@AJC.COM 2017 DeKalb began migrating to the FirstNet broadband network platform in January, with the DeKalb County Police Department becoming the first police department in Georgia to subscribe to the system.