Georgia lawmakers look for ways to bolster public safety funding

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Georgia police agencies are in a fierce fight over a shrinking pool of applicants.

State lawmakers are debating another round of raises and more investments in improvement projects that could make the job more appealing.

Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget earmarks additional money and projects for public safety.

The governor’s proposed $37.5 billion spending plan includes $3,000 raises for state law enforcement, $500 million for a state employee pension fund, funding for a GBI gang task force in Columbus, funding for 21 crime lab positions at the GBI, and funding for two Georgia State Patrol posts.

GBI Director Chris Hosey said the Columbus task force could help them identify gang and gang activity. There are two already in metro Atlanta and Macon.

The GBI reports gang activity is behind most of the violent crime in the state. According to the Georgia Gang Investigators Association, there are more than 1,500 gang networks and more than 71,000 .

“We’ve got to identify what’s going on – is there a criminal violation, who’s responsible for it, and then the resources that we need to pursue that and bring them to justice,” Hosey said.

of the t House and Senate Appropriations Committee met to discuss budget recommendations at the Georgia Capitol this week.

“People are concerned with crime. They want something to be done about it,” said Sen. Ed Harbinson, who represents Columbus.

Troopers with the Department of Public Safety would also benefit from the raises.

Starting pay for troopers is just over $63,000 and around $37,000 for dispatchers.

Col. Bill Hitchens with the Department of Public Safety says 80% of their dispatchers and more than 60% of troopers have less than nine years of experience. Competition for new hires is fierce.

“The Department of Public Safety is recruiting out of the same pool as local law enforcement,” Hitchens said.

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