Santa Rosa officials debut police activity dashboard enhancing community transparency

The City of Santa Rosa is enhancing community engagement and transparency through a new data dashboard that provides real-time insights into police activity and city services. During the council meeting on December 17, 2024, city officials showcased the dashboard, which allows residents to access detailed information about police traffic stops, community service requests, and building permits.

The dashboard, developed in-house by the city’s software team, is designed to be user-friendly and regularly updated. City staff emphasized that most data is automatically refreshed every three hours, ensuring that residents have access to the latest information. This initiative aims to improve public understanding of city operations and foster greater community involvement.

Council members expressed their appreciation for the project, highlighting its potential to enhance transparency and accountability. Vice Mayor Stapp acknowledged the labor-intensive nature of the project and raised questions about the integration and maintenance of the system. City staff responded that while most updates are automated, some data still requires manual input, particularly for less frequently updated reports.

The discussion also touched on future enhancements, including the potential integration of artificial intelligence (AI) to allow residents to interact with the dashboard using natural language queries. This feature could simplify access to information, making it easier for residents to inquire about local permits or city services.

Public comments during the meeting reflected community enthusiasm for the dashboard. Residents urged the city to seek additional funding for further development, particularly in expanding the dashboard's capabilities to include information on street repairs and homelessness services.

As the city moves forward with this initiative, officials are committed to gathering community feedback to ensure the dashboard meets the needs of Santa Rosa residents. The council's focus on transparency and accessibility is expected to strengthen community trust and engagement in local governance.