DeKalb opens Real Time Crime Center, expands cameras, drones and gunshot detectors
February 25, 2026 | DeKalb County, Georgia
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DeKalb County Police on Dec. 15 opened a Real Time Crime Center intended to speed investigations and improve response times by aggregating license-plate readers, live PTZ cameras, drones and gunshot-detection sensors.
Lt. Shane Smith, the center director, said the department will operate the center with civilian analysts 24 hours a day once fully staffed. "We will have 270 total Flock LPR cameras," Smith said, adding the county network will include about 1,200 cameras when homeowner associations, businesses and other agencies are counted. He said the center currently operates about 150 LPRs for the department and is adding roughly 120 more.
Why it matters: commanders said the center consolidates data sources to shorten investigative timelines. Chief Bob Popp credited the technology for accelerating criminal investigations in 2025, including a homicide solved with surveillance video, ballistic matching and cell-data analysis.
How it works: Smith said the center will include roughly 240 PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) live cameras placed strategically by crime trends and precinct requests; two drones are now operational with a goal of four by midyear; four portable "Flock" trailers with solar panels can be deployed to hot spots; and about 130 sound meters or gunshot detectors will be installed in four target areas. He described an automated drone launch option tied to 911 calls for serious incidents and said drones can arrive in minutes.
Privacy and access: Smith said all cameras view public spaces only, access is restricted to authorized police personnel, and all access is logged and routinely audited. "We do not share any of our video data with third parties or with federal agencies, to include ICE or DHS, FBI," he said. Video retention for footage the department receives is 30 days, with automatic deletion thereafter unless detectives download it for an active case.
Limitations and next steps: the center officials emphasized the need for staffing and community partnerships. Smith said the department intends to hire enough civilian analysts to run the center continuously and encouraged businesses and residents to register private cameras via a public QR code so detectives can request footage. The department said its goal is to move some investigations from weeks or months to hours or days by improving early evidence access.
The Real Time Crime Center was a central topic at an East Precinct town hall where commanders also discussed data-driven placement of cameras and answered resident questions about privacy and community oversight. The center is now operating and expanding; officials said community registration and staffing are the next major steps.
Lt. Shane Smith, the center director, said the department will operate the center with civilian analysts 24 hours a day once fully staffed. "We will have 270 total Flock LPR cameras," Smith said, adding the county network will include about 1,200 cameras when homeowner associations, businesses and other agencies are counted. He said the center currently operates about 150 LPRs for the department and is adding roughly 120 more.
Why it matters: commanders said the center consolidates data sources to shorten investigative timelines. Chief Bob Popp credited the technology for accelerating criminal investigations in 2025, including a homicide solved with surveillance video, ballistic matching and cell-data analysis.
How it works: Smith said the center will include roughly 240 PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) live cameras placed strategically by crime trends and precinct requests; two drones are now operational with a goal of four by midyear; four portable "Flock" trailers with solar panels can be deployed to hot spots; and about 130 sound meters or gunshot detectors will be installed in four target areas. He described an automated drone launch option tied to 911 calls for serious incidents and said drones can arrive in minutes.
Privacy and access: Smith said all cameras view public spaces only, access is restricted to authorized police personnel, and all access is logged and routinely audited. "We do not share any of our video data with third parties or with federal agencies, to include ICE or DHS, FBI," he said. Video retention for footage the department receives is 30 days, with automatic deletion thereafter unless detectives download it for an active case.
Limitations and next steps: the center officials emphasized the need for staffing and community partnerships. Smith said the department intends to hire enough civilian analysts to run the center continuously and encouraged businesses and residents to register private cameras via a public QR code so detectives can request footage. The department said its goal is to move some investigations from weeks or months to hours or days by improving early evidence access.
The Real Time Crime Center was a central topic at an East Precinct town hall where commanders also discussed data-driven placement of cameras and answered resident questions about privacy and community oversight. The center is now operating and expanding; officials said community registration and staffing are the next major steps.
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