I am deeply concerned when an animal must be removed due to negligence or abuse. My office is responsible for resolving over 2,000 animal matters. In 2022, my office reported 84 animals held at the shelter related to court matters. Today, I am pleased to report that the number of animals being held concerning court […]

Join community leaders and experts for a crucial discussion addressing homelessness in DeKalb County at the “It Takes a Village” Town Hall. Decatur, GA – As homelessness continues to be a pressing issue in DeKalb County, Commissioner Robert Patrick is proud to announce, “It Takes a Village,” a town hall conversation dedicated to addressing this […]

After several complaints from animal advocates, volunteers, and employees at DeKalb Animal Services regarding animal overcrowding, last year, I visited the shelter to see for myself just how bad the situation was. I saw firsthand how many dogs and cats were living in cramped spaces and how easily agitated some of the dogs were. Moreover, […]

When I became Presiding Officer in 2022, I made it a priority for DeKalb County BOC to pursue federal appropriations (formally known as “earmarks”) after a 10-year ban on the practice. In 2022, we submitted a package of projects totaling $15 million. After months of advocating in DC and pitching our projects, in 2023, it […]

During the months of March and April, flooding becomes a major concern for some residents in our district. Since taking office in 2021, residents have shared with me the damage heavy rains and storms have caused to their properties, surrounding creeks, and neighborhood streets. Unfortunately, DeKalb County’s water and sewer infrastructure dates back to the […]

When a significant number of individuals and families are unstable, we will have unstable communities. Since taking office in January 2021, I have allocated a total of $425,000 in helping vulnerable residents who are on the verge of eviction or living in local motels to find more permanent housing solutions.  Evictions have reached an all-time […]

My team and I have had numerous meetings with DeKalb County’s Community Development Department which is in charge of the County’s homeless and housing programs, including HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC). The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to be the local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and […]

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our county –like many others across the country– has witnessed an increase in homelessness. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a total of 438 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2023 in DeKalb County. Since November 2023, approximately 8,000 individuals have utilized DeKalb’s […]