Residents of College Park, Georgia, are voicing serious concerns about the alarming shortage of police officers in their community. During a recent public hearing on the city’s 2027 fiscal year budget, citizens urged city leaders to take immediate action to address the issue, which they describe as unsustainable.
Sherry Godfrey, a local resident, highlighted the problem by sharing her worries about the low number of officers available during emergencies. She called for an increase in the starting salary for police officers, which currently stands at $55,000, to make it more competitive with other cities in the metro Atlanta area.
Police Chief Sharis McCrary informed the city council that the department is short by 33 officers, with only four officers often available per shift. This shortage is particularly concerning given College Park’s population of approximately 14,000, which can increase significantly due to its proximity to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
City officials are considering a salary increase of up to 8%, but McCrary believes a 20% increase is necessary to effectively recruit and retain officers. The department currently has 64 sworn officers, with 56 working full-time.
Community Concerns
Residents like Julie McGouirk have experienced firsthand the challenges posed by the staffing shortage. She recounted a recent incident where officers quickly responded to a neighborhood block party complaint, only to be called away to another emergency, leaving the area vulnerable to further disturbances.
James Walker, another resident, criticized the city for training officers who then leave for better-paying positions in nearby municipalities like Sandy Springs, where starting salaries range from $73,000 to $84,000. He emphasized the financial burden this places on the city, which invests heavily in training officers only to lose them to higher-paying cities.
Mayor Bianca Motley Broom and council members expressed their support for the police department, acknowledging the need to address these concerns. Councilwoman Jamelle McKenzie noted that retaining officers is a regional challenge and emphasized the importance of offering more than just financial incentives to law enforcement personnel.
Residents remain hopeful that city leaders will prioritize public safety and take decisive action to ensure College Park remains a safe community. As Randy Godfrey warned, the current situation is unsustainable and poses a risk of attracting criminal activity due to the lack of police presence.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
