Fulton County Attempts to Lure Officers as South Fulton Transitions Department
South Fulton’s police department is set to become official on March 26. However, Fulton County’s decision to maintain its own department threatens to make the transition less than smooth.
When South Fulton transitioned the fire department in February, the city entered into an intergovernmental agreement with Fulton County to provide fire services to the Fulton Industrial District, which still remains unincorporated.
The city passed an ordinance to provide police services to the district in the same manner. However, the county has decided it will maintain the responsibility of policing the area. The move, according to city officials, will impact the city’s budget, as well as police staffing. To help attract officers, the county is offering a signing bonus of $3,000.
The news follows rumblings of the city’s challenges to secure valuable equipment and assets from the county that had previously been used to police the area now known as the City of South Fulton.
Commissioner Emma Darnell was recently asked by attendees at the Cedar Grove Community Association monthly meeting about Fulton County’s plans to maintain its own police department and keep top dollar assets.
“As long as we have the unincorporated area, we’re responsible for its safety,” she said. “It’s just that simple. And we have to have resources to do it.”
When a resident questioned why South Fulton would not be allowed to provide police services to the Fulton Industrial District as it has been contracted to do with fire services, Darnell responded, “I don’t have any other answers for you other than the one I just gave you.”
Darnell’s responses were met by outbursts from the attendees. Upon her departure, they continued to express their displeasure and frustration.
Despite Fulton County’s public safety plans, South Fulton councilmembers say that the transition of police services will proceed on time. In a statement released by Councilwomen Carmalitha Gumbs and Helen Willis, they expressed their disappointment in the county’s decision and their confidence in their Interim Police Chief Sheila Rogers.
They also advised residents who have questions about Fulton County’s decision to contact commissioners and county personnel.
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