Mulberry considers creating its own police department
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Another new city in metro Atlanta is exploring whether it should stand up its own police department.
Why it matters: The creation of a new department could get pushback from people who supported the incorporation of Mulberry based on the belief that the city would only offer limited services — thus keeping costs low for taxpayers.
The latest: The city, which has nearly 42,000 people, could ask residents to approve the question in a referendum on whether to establish a police department as early as next year, City Council Member Doug Ingram told Axios.
- Police services are currently handled by Gwinnett County, to which Mulberry pays about $10 million annually.
Wait, where is Mulberry? The city, which voters approved in May 2024, was incorporated on Jan. 1, 2025. It straddles Interstate 85 on the northeastern tip of Gwinnett County.
Catch up quick: The city earlier this year established a Public Safety Advisory Committee to review how it could improve services in the city.
- The committee looked at three options: continuing with the status quo; expanding its Marshal's Office to give them additional public safety powers; or creating its own agency.
- Mayor Michael Coker told Axios that while Gwinnett County police do a great job patrolling the city, there is a desire to have a bit more local control over where they can place officers.
- "I don't want that to be just a decision that me as the mayor or the City Council make on our own," he said.
The intrigue: That's the opposite direction the city of Mableton is taking. Despite widespread opposition from its residents, the Cobb County city that incorporated in 2023 is moving ahead with establishing its police department.
- Mableton officials recently announced the hiring of a public safety director and a police chief.
By the numbers: Ingram, who chaired the committee, told Axios there were about 26,000 unique calls for service within Mulberry's 28 square miles.
- Four Gwinnett County officers — two each working 12-hour shifts — were assigned to the city over any given 24-hour period.
- He said the committee was concerned about that level of staffing and the constraints it placed on more proactive policing.
- Ingram said the city is confident it could start a department with 18 beat cops assigned to patrol Mulberry for about $12.5 million a year.
Caveat: That does not include the costs to actually start a police department and money needed for additional staffing, equipment, infrastructure, etc.
- It also doesn't include the cost of paying those employees' salaries and benefits, as well as any need to hire more officers if the city grows.
- And since the city doesn't impose any property taxes, it would have to figure out where to source that additional revenue.
What's next: Ingram said Mulberry will schedule a series of town halls where people can pore over data and ask questions.
- "I think it's important to put this out [there] and let citizens make the choice on what they feel is best for their themselves, their families, and their neighbors," he said.