Chakira's Corner: DeKalb County District 4 Updates

Commissioner Chakira Johnson
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Politics
  • Updated Monthly

A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4's Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4's Communications Specialist, Carrie.

  1. Jun 1

    Enforcing Loitering, Demolition, and Blight Tax with DeKalb Code Compliance | Chakira’s Corner

    On this episode of Chakira's Corner, host Matt Shedd sits down with DeKalb County Director of Code Compliance and Enforcement Tonza Clark and Commissioner Chakira Johnson for a deep look at how DeKalb is reimagining property and code enforcement. Director Clark walks through the new proactive approach: six-day-a-week operations, hotel-motel sweeps, the loitering enforcement partnership with DeKalb Police that has reached close to 100% compliance at convenience stores and gas stations, and the new blight tax that can charge non-compliant property owners ten times the regular tax rate. Commissioner Johnson shares District 4 wins, including two recent demolitions on Shepherd Road and West Mountain Street, and connects her Engineer Progress for DeKalb vision with CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson's Reimagine DeKalb initiative. Tune in for the full conversation, plus how to reach Code Compliance directly. 0:00 - Welcome & Meet Director Tonza Clark 4:31 - Scope of Code Compliance 6:08 - District 4 Constituent Complaints 7:22 - Proactive Approach: Six Days a Week 8:22 - Loitering Initiative & Police Partnership 12:37 - Safer Communities in District 4 14:01 - The Enforcement Process Walkthrough 16:25 - Vacant & Foreclosure Property Registry 21:02 - Demolitions & the In-Rem Process 26:59 - Party Houses & the Noise Ordinance 33:50 - Final Takeaways & the New Blight Tax 41:05 - How to Reach Code Compliance Relevant Links and Contact Info: -DeKalb County Code Compliance (File a Complaint) - https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/code-compliance/code-compliance -Code Compliance Phone: 404-687-3700 -Code Compliance Email: codeenforce@dekalbcountyga.gov -Commissioner Chakira Johnson, DeKalb District 4 - https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/government/board-of-commissioners/districts/chakira-johnson -Commissioner Johnson's Official Website https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com All of Commissioner Johnson's Social Handles https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson Commissioner Johnson Email: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov

    44 min
  2. How the DeKalb Library System Provides Literacy, Digital Access, and Community | Chakira’s Corner

    Apr 6

    How the DeKalb Library System Provides Literacy, Digital Access, and Community | Chakira’s Corner

    In this episode of Chakira's Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson sits down with DeKalb County Public Library Director Alison Weissinger to pull back the curtain on everything the county's 23-branch library system actually offers — from early childhood programs like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten to free Wi-Fi hotspot loans, LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages, and no-cost digital access to the New York Times. They talk about how individual branches respond to their specific communities, what the county is doing to ease pressure on libraries from unhoused residents, and why current federal threats to library funding should matter to every DeKalb resident. If you have a library card and aren't using these resources yet, this episode will change that. And if you don't have one, you'll want one by the time it's over. 0:00 Intro 1:21 Director Weissinger's Path to the Library 2:54 30 Years of Change at DeKalb Libraries 4:13 Why Libraries Matter for District 4 6:12 Beyond Books: Programs and Community Resources 8:08 A Thousand Books Before Kindergarten 12:12 Summer Reading and Fighting the Summer Slide 13:33 Free Online Resources with Your Library Card 19:17 Hotspots, Chromebooks, and Digital Access 25:35 Threats to Libraries and How to Help 29:14 Supporting Libraries Through Advocacy and Donations 31:11 The Library Foundation and Friends Groups 36:16 Stay Connected with the Library and Commissioner Johnson Links: DeKalb County Public Library  DeKalbLibrary.org DeKalb Library Resources for Young Children dekalblibrary.org/read-and-grow A Thousand Books Before Kindergarten  dekalblibrary.org/read-and-grow/1000-books Computers and Technology  dekalblibrary.org/using-the-library/computers Friends of the Library  dekalblibrary.org/support-us/friends-of-the-library Library Newsletters  dekalblibrary.org/newsletters Library Events Calendar  events.dekalblibrary.org/events Email Commissioner Johnson  chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov Commissioner Johnson, All Links  linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

    39 min
  3. DeKalb Public Safety Update: EMS Response, Crime Center, Text Alerts, and More | Chakira's Corner

    Mar 10

    DeKalb Public Safety Update: EMS Response, Crime Center, Text Alerts, and More | Chakira's Corner

    DeKalb County’s new Director of Public Safety, Darnell Fullum, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to discuss what residents are experiencing around public safety. They cover EMS response improvements, the Real Time Crime Center, and how the county is strengthening coordination across agencies. The conversation also highlights less-visible departments like 911, Emergency Management, Animal Services, and the Medical Examiner’s Office. Commissioner Johnson shares how budget priorities connect to retention, stability, and safety.00:00:24 Welcome to Chakira’s Corner and today’s focus00:00:45 District 4 priorities and Commissioner Johnson’s committee roles00:01:08 Introducing Director Darnell Fullum and the episode format00:01:42 Start date and early priorities in the new role00:02:36 Fullum’s early life in Pittsburgh and path into public service00:03:29 Army service and moving to Atlanta to join the fire department00:05:17 Top public safety concerns from constituents: EMS response and crime00:06:47 EMS contract changes and how performance is being improved00:08:45 Real Time Crime Center and why technology matters00:09:42 What Public Safety oversees: Fire, Police, 911, Animal, ME, DEMA00:10:32 Ride-alongs, breaking silos, and building cross-department synergy00:19:12 DEMA, warming centers, and preparing residents for severe weather00:23:13 Code Red transitioning to Rave and reducing alert fatigue00:25:46 Department wins: recognition, staffing progress, SPLOST, accreditation00:30:11 Closing takeaways and how to contact Commissioner Johnson

    33 min
  4. DeKalb County Rent, Homeownership, and the Unhoused with Dr. Alan Ferguson | Chakira's Corner

    Feb 3

    DeKalb County Rent, Homeownership, and the Unhoused with Dr. Alan Ferguson | Chakira's Corner

    DeKalb County's first Chief Housing Officer, Dr. Alan Ferguson, joins Commissioner Chakira Johnson to talk about housing challenges and solutions in DeKalb County. They discuss rising rents, homelessness, and housing diversity. The conversation also details where residents should turn if they are worried about paying rent or staying housed. Learn how to plug into the zoning rewrite, the countywide housing strategy, and other opportunities to help shape DeKalb's housing future. Chapters 00:00 Intro and Commissioner Johnson's roles 01:33 Introducing Chief Housing Officer Dr. Alan Ferguson 02:26 Growing up in South DeKalb and choosing public service 05:22 Why DeKalb created a Chief Housing Officer role 07:24 What the Chief Housing Officer does and does not handle 12:18 Common misconceptions about county government and housing 18:06 If you miss a paycheck, where to call and how to get help 23:00 Development without displacement and neighborhood stability 27:10 Preserving neighborhood character and the zoning rewrite 33:05 Early wins: housing strategy, Affordable Housing Fund, Park 500, NACA 39:06 Key takeaways on housing priorities in DeKalb 41:25 Commissioner Johnson's new role as Presiding Officer44:46 How to contact Commissioner Johnson and stay connected Links DeKalb Housing and Chief Housing Officer info:https://bit.ly/DeKalbDrFerguson DeKalb Zoning Rewrite information:https://bit.ly/ZoningDeKalb United Way of Greater Atlanta (including 211):https://unitedwayatlanta.org/ ARCHI Collaborative:https://www.archicollaborative.org/ DeKalb Resource Guide:https://bit.ly/DeKalbResourceGuide Commissioner Chakira Johnson Linktree:https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson

    46 min
  5. 2025 Recap, Looking to 2026: Progress & Priorities in District 4 of DeKalb County | Chakira’s Corner

    Jan 6

    2025 Recap, Looking to 2026: Progress & Priorities in District 4 of DeKalb County | Chakira’s Corner

    In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson looks back on the biggest lessons from 2025 and shares what’s ahead in 2026. Topics covered include housing and homelessness, water infrastructure and the consent decree, Memorial Drive revitalization, youth development, and services for New Americans. She also previews Resources Day on April 18, 2026 (in tandem with the Community Connection Breakfast), explains how residents can reach her team, and encourages District 4 constituents to consider serving on county advisory boards and commissions. 00:23 – Intro: committees + District 4 focus areas 01:39 – Why Commissioner Johnson ran for office 03:02 – One year in: reflections from 2025 04:43 – Priorities: housing/homelessness + water infrastructure 07:38 – How to contact the Commissioner 10:23 – Resources Day + Community Connection Breakfast (Apr 18, 2026) 14:34 – Community Connection Breakfasts + Jan 31, 2026 preview 19:10 – “Chakira’s Cookout” back-to-school event recap 21:21 – Boards & commissions: what they are + how to serve 29:00 – District projects: Park 500 + Memorial Drive (4380) 30:18 – Memorial Drive next steps: safety, transit, CID/BID 33:00 – Youth development + services for New Americans 35:30 – 10,000-foot view: 2025 to 2026 + closing RELEVANT DATES Saturday, January 31, 2026 — Community Connection Breakfast (Q1 2026) — 9:00 AM Location: East Central DeKalb Senior Center & Community Center  Saturday, April 18, 2026 — Resources Day + Community Connection Breakfast (combined) Location: DeKalb Conference Center @ Georgia Piedmont Technical College (Clarkston) Summer 2026: Chakira’s Cookout: back-to-school event Typically the last weekend in June (exact date TBD) Open advisory board positions: Open Positions: Community Council, PDK Airport Advisory, Watershed Customer Service & Billing bit.ly/DeKalbBoardsAndCommissions Data Center Text Amendment (on Engage DeKalb’s site) bit.ly/DCGADataCenterTextAmendment  Commissioner Chakira Johnson (District 4) • Website: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/ • Contact form: https://www.commissionerchakirajohnson.com/contact • District 4 (official county page): https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/board-commissioners/district-4 • X (Twitter) referenced: https://x.com/CommissionerCJJ

    40 min
  6. Small Business, Zoning, Permitting & Growth in DeKalb County with Juliana Njoku | Chakira's Corner

    12/02/2025

    Small Business, Zoning, Permitting & Growth in DeKalb County with Juliana Njoku | Chakira's Corner

    In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson talks with DeKalb County’s Director of Planning & Sustainability, Juliana Njoku, about how zoning, permitting, housing, and economic development all work together to shape DeKalb’s future. Juliana shares her path into public service and what makes DeKalb’s mix of communities, land, and cultures so distinct. They also break down how Planning & Sustainability serves as the “guardrails” for growth—guiding where parks, homes, and businesses go; improving permitting and licensing; and launching tools like the Planning Community Academy 101 and Engage DeKalb so residents and small business owners can stay informed and involved. Featured Resources: • Planning & Sustainability: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/planning-and-sustainability/planning • Decide DeKalb (Economic Development): https://www.decidedekalb.com • Engage DeKalb (Public Input Portal): https://engagedekalb.dekalbcountyga.gov • Email Commissioner Johnson: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov • Linktree – Commissioner Chakira Johnson: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & Episode Overview 01:20 – Juliana’s Path to Planning & Public Service 04:30 – What Makes DeKalb County Unique 06:20 – How Planning & Sustainability Supports the Vision 12:00 – Parks, Businesses & Economic Development 17:50 – Department Goals, Structure & Technology Upgrades 21:10 – Helping Small Businesses Succeed 32:20 – Community Academy 101 & Resident Engagement 38:30 – Permitting, Pre-Application Meetings & Realistic Timelines 51:00 – A Shared Vision for DeKalb’s Next 5–10 Years 55:00 – Closing Thoughts & How to Connect

    59 min
  7. New Police Technology & Community Trust with DeKalb Police Chief Greg Padrick | Chakira’s Corner

    11/04/2025

    New Police Technology & Community Trust with DeKalb Police Chief Greg Padrick | Chakira’s Corner

    Commissioner Chakira Johnson welcomes DeKalb County Interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick for an in‑depth conversation about the future of public safety, technology, and community partnership in DeKalb County. Chief Padrick discusses his 28‑year career, from U.S. Marine service to every rank within the department, and how that experience guides his leadership today. Together, he and Commissioner Johnson explore how the new Real Time Crime Center will integrate drones, FLOCK cameras, and advanced data analytics to enhance public safety and officer efficiency while maintaining transparency and privacy protections. They also discuss regional collaboration with neighboring cities and community groups, major progress in officer recruitment and retention, and the addition of new civilian analyst roles within the police department. Other topics include the Citizens Police Academy, how residents can use crimemapping.com to track neighborhood data, and ways community members can engage directly with precincts and officers. The conversation closes with an update on recent activity along Central Drive, long‑term revitalization goals for Memorial Drive, and a shared vision for building a safer, stronger DeKalb. Featured Resources: Crime Reports: https://crimemapping.com Find My Precinct: https://bit.ly/FindMyDeKalbPolicePrecinct DeKalb Police Website: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/police-services/dekalb-county-police-department Community Information & Programs: https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/police-services/community-information Flock Safety Statement: https://bit.ly/FlockDeKalbStatement Join DeKalb County Police Department: https://joindkpd.com Public Information Office (PIO): https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/police-services/public-information-office Memorial Drive Corridor Interactive Plan: https://bit.ly/MDCRevitalizationInteractiveMap Email: Chakira@dekalbcountyga.govSocial & Updates: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakirajohnson Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction & Episode PreviewCommissioner Johnson introduces the topic of public safety and her guest, Interim Police Chief Gregory Padrick, setting the stage for a conversation on policing, innovation, and community trust in DeKalb County. 01:10 – Chief Padrick’s Journey to LeadershipFrom DeKalb native to Marine Corps Sergeant to Interim Chief, Padrick shares how his service shaped his values of discipline and accountability. 06:07 – The Real-Time Crime Center & Modern PolicingHow drones, FLOCK cameras, and data analytics will improve safety, prevent crime, and create new civilian jobs while protecting privacy. 19:02 – Recruitment, Retention & Workforce GrowthUpdates on officer staffing, returning employees, and the department’s success in rebuilding morale and stability. 24:10 – Community Engagement & Citizen PartnershipsAn inside look at the 12-week Citizens Police Academy, neighborhood programs, and outreach efforts like PAL and Coffee with a Cop. 35:10 – Crime Data & TransparencyHow residents can access neighborhood reports through crimemapping.com and understand what crime statistics really represent. 43:40 – 911 Response & Technology IntegrationHow calls are triaged, response times improved, and new tech links 911 directly to the Real-Time Crime Center. 47:10 – Central Drive & Memorial Drive RevitalizationStrategies for addressing gun violence, deploying gunshot detection, and aligning safety with economic development. 54:00 – Closing Reflections & Call to ActionChief Padrick and Commissioner Johnson invite residents to stay informed, get involved, and help shape a “One DeKalb” future.

    59 min
  8. DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson on Housing, Real-Time Crime Center, Water Billing, and More

    10/07/2025

    DeKalb CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson on Housing, Real-Time Crime Center, Water Billing, and More

    In this episode of Chakira’s Corner, Commissioner Chakira Johnson welcomes DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation on housing, public safety, infrastructure, water billing, and inclusion. They discuss the Park 500 rapid-housing acquisition, why general fund dollars matter for wraparound services, and how DeKalb’s new Chief Housing Officer is steering a broader strategy across affordable, workforce, and market-rate housing. The discussion also covers long-term revitalization along the Memorial Drive corridor (including the 4380 Memorial Drive purchase), a major investment in a Real-Time Crime Center with drones and FLOCK cameras, and targeted fixes for high water bills, plus efforts to engage New American communities in boards, commissions, and county procurement. Other topics include homeownership access through community events, addressing rental leak repairs via new legislation, progress on consent-decree infrastructure upgrades, and practical programs like the Water Rate Assurance Program (WRAP) and DeKalb Cares. The episode closes with a call for residents to get involved, offering talent, feedback, and partnership in building a “One DeKalb.” Featured Resources: • Water Rate Assurance Program (WRAP) – Urban League of Greater Atlanta: https://ulgatl.org/dekalb-wrap-program/ • Email: chakira@dekalbcountyga.gov • Social & Updates: https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakira • Website: commissionerchakirajohnson.com Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome & OverviewHost Matt Shedd introduces Chakira’s Corner and today’s guest, DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. 01:42 – Homelessness, Mental Health & Park 500How the Park 500 townhome acquisition supports rapid housing and why general fund dollars enable true wraparound services. 05:00 – Housing Strategy & Voucher LandscapeDeKalb’s first Chief Housing Officer, aligning affordable, workforce, and market-rate units; potential Section 8 impacts and why transition supports matter. 10:15 – Building Supply & Shelter PlanningWhere new units lag, why a county shelter is on the table, and balancing marketplace, workforce, and affordability goals. 13:20 – Memorial Drive RevitalizationVision for catalytic redevelopment, the county’s purchase of 4380 Memorial Drive, and transit-oriented mixed-use near MARTA. 21:02 – Real-Time Crime Center InvestmentUnanimous BOC approval for a 10-year technology plan: FLOCK cameras, drone first-responder coverage, regional data-sharing, and civilian analyst jobs. 27:20 – Water Billing & Landlord Leak RepairsThe case for stronger accountability so renters aren’t stuck with unfixable leaks; why this complements earlier water-protection measures. 30:45 – Consent Decree Progress & RatesBill disputes, long-term infrastructure upgrades, average bills, and the importance of paying for essential services. 33:27 – WRAP & DeKalb CaresHow residents can get help with bills and home plumbing repairs based on income, and current processing timelines. 36:00 – Welcoming New AmericansRecruiting diverse voices to boards and commissions (especially in Clarkston) and outreach through multilingual communications. 38:45 – Procurement On-RampsCounty seminars helping small businesses—Ethiopian, Indian, Latinx, and others—register and compete for DeKalb contracts. 41:40 – Takeaways for Residents“Engineering progress for DeKalb,” collaborative momentum with a new BOC and CEO, and a call to lend your talents.

    46 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

A podcast where DeKalb County, Georgia, District 4's Commissioner Chakira Johnson discusses Board of Commissioners meeting outcomes and community news with District 4's Communications Specialist, Carrie.

Information