Serving Our Neighbors: StreetWise Georgia & The Lawrenceville Police Department Partnership

At StreetWise Georgia, we know that solving complex community challenges requires creativity and strong partnerships. We are proud to work alongside the Lawrenceville Police Department in an innovative collaboration that goes beyond traditional roles to provide critical support for our most vulnerable neighbors. This unique alliance is a testament to our shared mission: to build a safer, more stable community for everyone. 

The Heart of Community Policing: Officer Mason Geer 

Our partnership is personified by Officer Mason Geer, the decorated veteran and Outreach Officer for the Lawrenceville PD, who was recognized as the 2024 Officer of the Year for his extraordinary work. Officer Geer’s role is profoundly personal and impactful. 

“Being a Lawrenceville Police Officer where my primary focus is community response means building a bridge between the community and the resources, support, and opportunities that can truly improve lives,” Officer Geer states. “Personally, it’s about advocating for people, especially those who may feel unheard or underserved, and building trust through consistent presence, communication, and action.” 

His commitment goes far beyond simple duty. He recalls a powerful moment helping a young woman who was a victim of sex trafficking turn her life around and reunite with her mother and daughter in another state. Of that experience, he recalls: “She told me that she could not believe a police officer was willing to help someone like her. Moments like this one and others like it have reminded me that outreach isn’t just a job. It’s about investing in people, one relationship at a time.” 

Why This Partnership Is Essential: Flexibility Meets Need 

Officer Geer’s compassionate outreach requires resources that traditional policing doesn’t offer. He explains exactly why finding a partner like StreetWise Georgia was so crucial for his outreach efforts: 

“Finding a partner like StreetWise was crucial for me because it allowed for more flexibility, speed, and dignity in the way I support people in crisis,” Officer Geer states. 

He highlights the challenge of navigating bureaucracy when someone is in desperate need: “So often when doing this kind of outreach, you instinctively know what someone needs. Sometimes it’s a Gwinnett County Transit/MARTA bus pass to get to a new job or court, gasoline for their car, or clothes for their kids—but you’re stuck waiting on red tape, or programs with narrow qualifications.” 

StreetWise Georgia removes those barriers. The $6,000 raised through the innovative “Truck & Tap” fundraiser—organized by a dedicated local real estate agent—created a vital resource. Officer Geer can draw from this fund to provide immediate, impactful assistance. 

“They trusted me to use my judgment and on-the-ground knowledge to direct resources where they’d make the biggest impact, fast.” This crucial partnership ensures that Officer Geer can execute his personal mission of building trust and providing solutions, not just short-term fixes. 

A Story of Hope: From Homelessness to Higher Education 

The fund managed by StreetWise Georgia is a perfect example of ethical, transparent, and successful community-building. Its power is illustrated again by the story of a young student facing homelessness while working toward her degree. 

Officer Geer connected with the young woman after she had lost her vehicle and stable living arrangements. She needed to pay a final matriculation fee to secure her spot in student housing and finish her degree in person. Using the StreetWise fund, he was able to provide the necessary support. 

“This resource that we helped provide for this young woman gave her a place to live, the opportunity to finish her education, and ultimately be able to provide for herself and not be dependent on anyone else for her welfare,” says Officer Geer. “This was an amazing moment for me. This feeling is the reason why I got back into this job after doing other work for nearly 15 years. Doing this kind of assignment feels more like a calling than work to me.” 

A Model for Community Collaboration 

This partnership highlights what makes StreetWise Georgia unique. We are an organization that thinks outside the box, building bridges between law enforcement, community leaders, and those in need. 

Looking ahead, Officer Geer hopes this collaboration continues to grow: “My hope for the future of this partnership is that it continues to grow into a model of what a true community collaboration between a police department and non-profit organization looks like. A relationship rooted in trust, responsiveness, and shared purpose.” 

Your support fuels these vital partnerships and life-changing moments. Give to StreetWise Georgia today and help us continue to provide hope and stability for our neighbors.