Council members challenge DEC and RAA over delayed data presentation

Tensions flared during the Richmond City Public Safety Standing Committee meeting on April 22, 2025, as members expressed frustration over a lack of collaboration between the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) and the Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA). The committee had anticipated a side-by-side presentation of data from both agencies to facilitate a fair analysis, but it became clear that this expectation had not been met.

Council member Abubakar voiced her concerns, highlighting that the absence of a unified presentation hindered the committee's ability to make informed decisions. "It still doesn't allow us to make a fair analysis without sort of that apples to apples look," she stated, emphasizing the need for clarity in the data provided.

The discussion revealed a communication breakdown, with committee members questioning why DEC had not prepared a joint presentation as requested. Director Tory May defended the agency's actions, stating they believed the committee only sought the data for discussion rather than a formal presentation. This misunderstanding led to a heated exchange, with members expressing their dissatisfaction over what they perceived as wasted time.

In a bid to resolve the issue, some committee members suggested that the RAA could perform the necessary calculations to create a comparative analysis, while others proposed involving a third party to compile the data. However, the consensus leaned towards the idea that the agencies should be capable of conducting their own analyses without external assistance.

As the meeting concluded, the committee agreed to postpone further discussions until the requested data could be properly analyzed and presented, signaling a commitment to ensuring that future meetings are more productive and focused on actionable insights. The outcome of this ongoing dialogue will be crucial for enhancing public safety measures in Richmond.