Georgia State Patrol opens new post at Governor’s Mansion in Buckhead

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Georgia State Patrol has opened a new post on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion in Buckhead.

On Wednesday, Gov. Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp were joined by House Speaker Jon Burns, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and other state and local officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the new post.

The 1,750-square-foot facility and garage bay, which sits next to the entrance of the Governor’s Mansion, was completed last month, and will serve the broader Buckhead community and surrounding parts of Atlanta, the governor’s office said.

“Keeping our communities safe is my top priority and today’s milestone would not have been possible without the leadership and support of our partners in the General Assembly,” Kemp said in a statement. “Thanks to the General Assembly, Mayor Dickens, and the brave and dedicated work of state and local law enforcement, we are witnessing a historic reduction in violent crime in our capital city. With the opening of this new post, we’re furthering our collaborative approach to taking criminals off our streets and bringing them to justice.”

The governor’s office said the new facility was made possible by the addition of $1.3 million in the Fiscal Year 24 budget approved by the General Assembly.

“Effective public safety involves partnerships, coordination, and collaboration,” Dickens said. “I believe I can speak for Chief Schierbaum when I say that the Atlanta Police Department and the City of Atlanta look forward to working hand-in-hand with our State Patrol colleagues. This new post represents our shared commitment to fostering trust in all our communities as we continue to Move Atlanta Forward.”

Around 35 troopers will be able to use the post, with 13 troopers directly assigned to it, increasing security for the Buckhead community and surrounding areas, the governor’s office said.

“We are happy to open a new post that will allow our troopers to better serve their community while enforcing Georgia’s traffic laws and holding criminals accountable,” said Col. Billy Hitchens, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety, which oversees the Georgia State Patrol. “The new post, along with our partnership with the Atlanta Police Department, gives us a tremendous advantage against those who choose to break the law, and the crime rates will continue to lower.”