For years, property owners across Tucker have faced a frustrating reality. They could call DeKalb County police about ongoing loitering, but enforcement often depended on whether a business representative was present at that exact moment. If the store was closed, if the manager had left for the day, or if staff didn’t want confrontation, the problem frequently continued. That may change soon.
In 2025, DeKalb County revised its policies, enabling property owners to authorize the police to act on their behalf, even when they are not present. The City of Tucker is now proposing the same change to its policies and city code to align with DeKalb County.
“This is something business owners have wanted for years,” said Matthew Lee, executive director of the Tucker-Northlake CID. “This change will allow for more protection of private property without having to monitor it at all hours. It will give everyone who elects to sign up a better chance at reducing illegal dumping, vandalism, and a long list of things property owners don’t want to happen.”
The program also applies to daytime hours. This can be helpful by allowing police to keep a proactive watch to increase safety at gas stations and convenience stores where loitering can lead to other crimes.
Although business owners have wanted the option for years, under the current intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with DeKalb County for police services, the City of Tucker was unable to implement this program without DeKalb doing it first.
For the program to work, on either side of the city line, approved signage citing the code must be posted on the property, and the property owner must be willing to follow through on charges filed for trespassing. A copy of the letter about the program to business owners can be found here. The City Council is scheduled to consider adoption of the change at its March 9 meeting.