DeKalb County school board approves new superintendent
After months-long search DeKalb County Schools signs new superintendent ► PAGE 2
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J u n e 2 5 , 2 0 2 0 | T h e C r i e r. n e t | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | S e r v i n g t h e c o m m u n i t y s i n c e 1 9 7 6
Dunwoody officials talk racism, consider police accountability By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com
Perimeter businesses like the State Farm campus and Twelve24 shine bright in honor of 2020 graduates June 15.
Dunwoody lights up for 2020 graduates By CARSON COOK carson@appenmediagroup.com DUNWOODY, Ga. — To honor members of the class of 2020, who were unable to celebrate graduation in the traditional ways because COVID-19, Dunwoody residents and businesses lit up the city June 15, the eve of Dunwoody High School’s virtual graduation ceremony.
DUNWOODY, Ga. — The Dunwoody City Council unanimously passed a resolution June 15 urging Georgia legislators to pass a state hate crimes law. The council also spent over half an hour listening to a presentation by Police Chief Billy Grogan on steps his department has taken to reduce police use of force and increase police accountability. Last year, a hate crime bill passed with bipartisan support in the Georgia House but was held up in committee in the Senate. Georgia is currently one of only a few states in the nation that does not have a hate crime law. Following the February killing of Ahmaud Arbery, an unarmed black jogger in Brunswick, Georgia, passing such legislation has gained momentum.
The Metro Atlanta Chamber and Georgia Chamber of Commerce have jointly urged the Legislature to act. The bill on the table, H.B. 426, would grant judges the ability to impose an enhanced sentence if the court proves beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime was motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or mental or physical disability. “Hate crimes aren’t meant to target just the individual,” Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch said. “They’re meant to scare or intimidate an entire community.” The resolution urges the Senate to pass H.B. 426 and for the governor to sign it into law as soon as possible. Several residents spoke in favor of
See POLICE, Page 6
Dunwoody Police Use of Force PHOTOS BY PAUL WARD/CITY OF DUNWOODY/SPECIAL
Dunwoody Police signs are used to spread the congratulatory message June 15.
Perimeter businesses like Perimeter Mall, Twelve24 and Ravinia were illuminated as part of the celebration, named “Light the Way.” Even the King
See LIGHTS, Page 2
Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan noted in a June 15 presentation to the City Council that use of force incidents and complaints against officers are relatively low in Dunwoody. Year
Use of Force incidents
2019 2018 2017
70 105 79
Percent of arrests involving Use of Force 3.18 5.23 3.48
Complaints 8 11 12
#1 Agent Coldwell Banker Atlanta 40 Years Experience 770.804.6226 • 404.403.6561 (cell) www.robinblass.com • robinblass@blassprop.com
5591 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd Bldg 1300, Ste 100 Dunwoody, GA 30338
Percent of calls for service resulting in a complaint .01 .01 .02