County’s killing investigations filmed for TV

Published 9:35 am Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A reality TV show is focusing on police investigations of killings in DeKalb County, and some commissioners say they’re not pleased.

The A&E reality crime show “The First 48” has been filming the DeKalb County Police Department’s homicide unit for several weeks. It plans to air the shows later this year.

Commissioner Lee May says showing homicide investigations to a national audience isn’t good for the county’s image.

Under an agreement signed by county officials, producers follow around DeKalb’s homicide detectives and document the first 48 hours of a slaying investigation as officers try to solve the crime.

Producers say they chose the county because of its high arrest rate for homicides.