CHAMBLEE, Ga.—In a move that helps signals in a new era for suburban law enforcement, the Chamblee Police Department officially cut the ribbon this month on its state-of-the-art Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC). The $2 million facility, which underwent a rapid seven-month transformation from a vacant basement space into a high-tech intelligence hub, represents one of the most significant technological investments in the city’s history.
The center serves as a centralized “brain” for the city’s public safety operations, consolidating data streams that were previously siloed. At the heart of the room sits a massive 6×2 monitor wall, featuring two 98-inch displays that provide a bird’s-eye view of the city. From this vantage point, analysts can monitor over 200 cameras, including 80 high-definition pan-tilt-zoom units and 80 Flock Safety automated license plate readers positioned at key intersections.
Beyond City Limits
What sets the Chamblee RTCC apart from standard surveillance setups is its regional integration. The software allows Chamblee officers to “hand off” or receive live data from neighboring jurisdictions like Dunwoody, Brookhaven, and Doraville.
“Criminals don’t stop at city limit signs,” noted Chief Michael Dieppa during the March 5 unveiling. “If a vehicle involved in a felony in a neighboring city enters Chamblee, our analysts are alerted in seconds. We can now track a suspect’s path of travel across the entire North Metro corridor in real-time, providing our officers on the street with the exact information they need before they even step out of their patrol cars.”
A Multi-Purpose Renovation
The project, designed by Fountainhead Control Rooms, wasn’t just about screens and software. The $2 million budget—boosted by a significant state grant—also funded a comprehensive overhaul of the police headquarters’ lower level. This includes a new Defensive Tactics Room, where officers can train in de-escalation techniques and physical maneuvers in a controlled environment, ensuring that the “high-tech” approach is balanced with “high-touch” officer training.
Balancing Safety and Privacy
As with any increase in municipal surveillance, the project has sparked conversations regarding resident privacy. Chief Dieppa has been proactive in addressing these concerns, emphasizing that the RTCC is a “reactive and proactive tool for active investigations,” not a platform for general monitoring of law-abiding citizens. The center is specifically geared toward solving active crimes, locating missing persons (such as Amber or Silver Alerts), and improving emergency response times by verifying the severity of a 911 call via live video before units arrive.
The Future of the CPD
The opening of the RTCC is just the first phase of Chamblee’s digital transformation. City officials hinted that the center is already equipped to integrate future technologies, including the police department’s expanding drone program and potential “opt-in” programs for local business owners who wish to share their external camera feeds with the department.
As the ribbon fell on the new facility, the message from city leadership was clear: Chamblee is no longer just reacting to crime—it’s watching it happen in real-time, and it has the tools to stop it.
