Amid accident increase, new traffic officers to patrol Norcross

NORCROSS Speeders beware: A new patrol unit is coming for you.

The Norcross Police Departments new traffic enforcement unit, approved by the City Council on Monday night, wont be large, but officials feel it will be effective. The unit will consist of two new officers, one in a cruiser, one on a motorcycle.

The main impetus is the traffic wrecks keep going up, Mayor Bucky Johnson said after the councils meeting, adding: We do policing based on data.

The data, according to police chief Warren Summers, includes an increase in accidents from 600 to 1,600 in the city limits since Norcross annexed in new land in 2012.

Most of these accidents are occurring on the roadways which comprise the outer borders of the city limits, Warren wrote in a request to the council. The goal of the Traffic Enforcement will be to reduce the overall number of accidents along with a reduction in injury and fatal accidents.

The chief said the issues are in the areas of Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Beaver Ruin Road Indian Trail and Brook Hollow Parkway.

The mayor said complaints from residents about speeding also factored into the decision.

Including pay, training and equipment, the cost of the new officers for the first year will be $250,000, a bill which can be paid with federal seized funds, Summers said. The officers are expected to cost $56,321 each annually, salary and benefits.

The new officers will bring the departments officer total to 43.

During the meeting, the council also:

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Amid accident increase, new traffic officers to patrol Norcross