Sandy Springs Partners with PCIDS to Improve Perimeter Traffic Flow

Motorists and pedestrians at the Perimeter area's busiest intersections are receiving some help thanks to a program provided by the Perimeter Community Improvements Districts. Through the PCIDs' Traffic Officers Program, off-duty police officers are stationed at the intersections to help keep them clear and handle any traffic problems that arise from rush hour traffic. Now the program is getting an extra boost from an agreement with the City of Sandy Springs. PCIDs now hire Sandy Springs officers on an off-duty basis at three locations with more planned in the future.

The officers have assumed their new positions at the intersections of Peachtree Dunwoody at Hammond Drive, Peachtree Dunwoody at Concourse and Peachtree Dunwoody at Johnsons Ferry Road.

"This is the first of what we hope will be many mutually beneficial partnerships between the City of Sandy Springs and the PCIDs," said Adam Orkin, CEO of Devin Properties and a member of the Fulton Perimeter CID.

"Each year, the Fulton and DeKalb PCIDs budget $650,000 to hire professional off-duty police to assist our commuters, residents, shoppers and visitors during rush hour traffic. We also increase our coverage during the holidays to make sure the additional holiday traffic is smoothed and flows to the greatest degree possible," continued Orkin. One of the causes of traffic congestion is motorists that block intersections and the other corridors are not able to move forward when the light changes. These officers' primary objective is to keep those intersections clear so that the traffic can continue to move as intended by the signal timing. " Orkin said.

"Sandy Springs is proud to participate in a program like this that helps everyone get to their desired location," said City of Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos. "We know that our officers are professional and well-trained. They will be an asset to the Perimeter area and will assist commuters in accessing and exiting the district. "We look forward to many such projects with the PCIDs.," Galambos added. "This is how business and government can work together to create a better solution than either can accomplish alone."

"The funds the PCIDs bring to the table on this project are a result of their self-taxation and payment of additional property taxes. That is responsible action on the part of the business community and benefits the entire community," said Orkin.