Fire-rescue call volume, police safety-vest distribution highlighted; council asks for expanded communications

Fire-rescue and police activity reports were presented to the council, and members asked staff to expand resident communications so people know about safety programs like police-distributed high‑visibility vests.

Nicholas Duffy, B‑shift battalion chief for Battalion 10 of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, reported that the department ran 21 calls in Lake Clarke Shores in December: 14 medical emergencies, 4 fire alarms, 2 hazardous‑condition responses and 1 vehicle accident. Duffy provided response-time summary data: a dispatch time of 44 seconds, turnout 45 seconds, travel time 6 minutes 4 seconds and a total response time of 7 minutes 33 seconds for December calls.

Council members asked for an accessible, recurring public-safety update or police blotter for residents. The police reported a small community safety initiative in which officers hand out fluorescent high‑visibility vests to pedestrians and joggers operating near roadways at night; staff said about 40 vests have been distributed and that officers contact pedestrians during evening patrols and offer the vests free to improve visibility.

Council member Sean (last name not read) and others praised the effort and asked for the distribution and other safety tips to be publicized in the town’s communications channels. Chief (police) staff said they would coordinate with town management to prepare a short safety notice for the electronic newsletter and social media. No formal action was taken; staff will follow up on public information options.

In public comment the council also heard residents’ concerns about pedestrian safety, dogs in streets and general awareness; council members tied those points to the need for clearer outreach about safety programs.