Livingston Police reach full sworn staffing, preview fireworks enforcement and traffic committee

Livingston Police Chief Rick Schiff told the May 12 town hall the department is now at full sworn staffing and plans immediate operational changes to increase patrol visibility and address community safety concerns.

“We are now at full staffing, which is 19 people, including the chief,” Schiff said, and told the council the department will deploy additional uniformed officers beginning in July to increase coverage and response times.

Chief Schiff said the department plans to send two officers to motorcycle school so patrols can include motorcycle units, and that staff will emphasize community outreach, school visits and training. The chief highlighted mental‑health response challenges and said the department is pursuing closer coordination with county behavioral‑health partners to reduce the burden on patrol officers.

On fireworks, Schiff said the police department will provide education but will enforce laws and issue citations for unlawful fireworks, especially around July 4. “We will be very strict in terms of citations and enforcement for people that break the law,” he said.

The city manager has formed a traffic committee to identify traffic‑calming measures after recent serious crashes and two traffic fatalities; the committee will review street design, speed and sight‑line issues and make recommendations to council. Schiff noted the committee can expand to include at‑large community members and that staff will accept resident requests through the city manager’s office or department contacts.

No vote or ordinance was taken at the town hall. The chief asked residents to report traffic concerns and illegal fireworks and to expect a visible increase in patrol presence in the weeks following the staffing change.