Department of Public Safety

The Buford Department of Public Safety is made up of three sections, all under the management of the Director of Public Safety.  The department consists of the City Marshal’s Office, Code Enforcement Unit, and Emergency Management.  Each section works together to provide the highest level of public safety services to the citizens of Buford, and those visiting.  To attain this, the dedicated employees of the department enforce all state statutes, city ordinances, and regulations in a fair and impartial manner recognizing the judicial limitations of public safety authority.

Our Mission

The Buford Department of Public Safety is part of the Buford City Government that operates as a team and strives to provide the highest level of services to those citizens we serve.  The Department of Public Safety provides professional services through the enforcement of state laws, local ordinances and regulations, and providing emergency management service in a fair and unbiased manner.  We serve our customers with dignity and respect and work to promote and preserve a safe living and working environment, for all members of the community. 

We value our citizens and understand that no agency can operate at its full potential, without the trust and support of the citizens we serve.  The Buford Department of Public Safety seeks and encourages community engagement, from all, so we can improve the quality of life for all who reside here.

City Marshal

The City Marshal’s Section currently has four full-time sworn state certified law enforcement officers. They are responsible for the enforcement of state laws and all code and ordinance violations that occur within the City of Buford established by the City of Buford Board of Commissioners.  The Marshal’s Office provides assistance to the Gwinnett County Police Department’s North Precinct and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office, who provide the law enforcement services to our citizens, within their respective jurisdictions.

The duties of the Marshal’s Office also include, but are not limited to: 

• Patrolling buildings, neighborhoods, parks, and schools
• Enforcing city ordinances
• Parking and traffic regulation
• Traffic control at Buford City School campuses
• Security and traffic control at major city events
• Court Security
• Regulatory inspections
• Business license inspections
• Property inspections
• Abatement of public nuisances

The Marshals support the Buford City Schools, and their students, in many ways.  Their safety and security are a top priority for the Department of Public Safety.  Should you need any law enforcement assistance from the city schools, please contact the School Resource Officers.

City Marshal’s Office 

Mario DePaoli

Phone: 678.889.4614

mdepaoli@cityofbuford.com

Gentry Wade

770.932.7975

gwade@cityofbuford.com

Resources

For reported crimes within the City of Buford, visit Crime Mapping

Gwinnett County Police Department

• Emergency:  911
• Non-Emergency:  770.513.5700
• GCPD North Precinct:  678.442.5002

Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services

Hall County Sheriff’s Office

• Emergency:  911
• Non-Emergency:  770.536.8812
• Hall County Uniform Patrol:  770.531.6881

Hall County Fire Rescue

Code Enforcement Unit

The Code Enforcement Section is dedicated to educating and informing the citizens of Buford of relevant codes and ordinances established for the city by the Buford City Board of Commissioners.  Code Enforcement Officers are responsible for enforcing the City’s standards for property maintenance, zoning, and business regulations to promote and protect public safety, health, convenience, order, and general welfare of all its citizens.

Some of the more common violations include, but are not limited to:

• Open or Outdoor Storage
• Exterior Building Maintenance
• Residential and Business Zoning violations
• Junked Vehicles
• Overgrown Grass and weeds
• Vehicle parking issues

Discover more about Buford City Ordinances at Buford Municode 

The violation process typically begins with a courtesy notification, which generally comes in verbal or written form. The intent is to advise the residents or business owners of the violation, what corrective actions are required, and provides an expected date of compliance. 

Citations are considered a last resort to gain compliance with City Ordinance; however, if one is issued, you may be required to appear in the Buford City Recorders court, where fines and/or other judgements may be issued.

To report violations or concerns, visit Hiperweb Request  

Resources

Gwinnett County Code Enforcement

Gwinnett County Animal Control & Enforcement

Hall County Marshal’s Office

Hall County Animal Control & Enforcement

Emergency Management

The Emergency Management Section plays a critical role in the safety of the citizens of Buford. The section was established in response to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, when the act was signed into law.  The section works in close partnership with the Gwinnett County and Hall County EMA offices.  The section plans and prepares for emergencies, educates the public about preparedness, coordinates emergency response and disseminates information during emergencies and disasters.

Historically it has been proven that the impacts of natural and technological hazards can be reduced, and in some instances avoided all together, if the appropriate mitigation steps are taken before such hazards occur.  Through proper identification of potential hazards, the vulnerable areas which may be affected, along with the implementation of the appropriate measures and training aimed at minimizing potential exposures, the negative impacts from these hazards can be greatly reduced.

Our Approach to Emergency Management

Emergency management goes well beyond cleaning up after a disaster.  The City of Buford Emergency Management Section takes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) view of disasters as recurring events with four phases.

Mitigation

Mitigation is the effort to reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters and emergencies.  The City of Buford strives to prevent, avoid, or even stop potential or active threats through training, communications, and implementing safeguards. 

Preparedness 

Even before the disaster strikes, emergency management is planning for action.  The city works to reduce the impact of a disaster and plan the response to save lives and limit the impact on our residents and businesses through a continuous cycle of planning, organizing, training, and evaluating. 

Response

The City’s objective is to protect life and property through the implementation of the existing emergency plans.  How the city responds in collaboration with the county, and other stakeholders, can have an immediate and strong impact on the safety of our citizens and safeguarding important infrastructure.

Recovery

Emergency Managements goal is a swift and safe return to normalcy in the aftermath of a disaster. Recovery starts as soon as the threat has passed and focuses on repairing damage, providing aid, and resuming normal operations and services to our citizens.

EMA Liaison

Gentry Wade

770.932.7975

gwade@cityofbuford.com

Resources

National Weather Service

Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management

• Hazardous Mitigation Plan

Hall County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency

National Terrorism Advisory System

Resources

• Human Trafficking Resource Center Information
• GBI Sex Offender Registry
• National Terrorism Advisory System
• National Weather Service
• Gwinnett County Office of Emergency Management
• Gwinnett County Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services
• Hall County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency
• Hall County Fire Rescue