Commission schedules September public forum to gather community input on policing issues

The Advisory Commission on Public Safety set plans to hold an in‑person public forum in September to collect community input on policing topics and to inform the commission’s recommendations to the county council.

Why it matters: Commissioners said public participation will shape the forum agenda and help prioritize topics the commission will recommend to the Council. Staff has received several written comments and will publish a draft response acknowledging receipt and explaining the commission’s role and next steps.

Commissioners said they plan to hold the forum in a Council Office Building space that has the necessary audio‑visual equipment; staff will confirm availability and whether a hybrid (in‑person plus remote) option can be provided for accessibility. Brian Bellamy (chair) said the commission is “shooting for September 8” for the forum and urged members to finalize suggested invitees and topics at the commission’s next meeting so staff can confirm speakers and technical arrangements. Christina and others suggested the encryption of dispatch communications and benchmarking of consent‑search data be included among topics to solicit public comment.

Staff will circulate the list of public comments received and a draft standard response acknowledging submissions; commissioners recommended the response also point contributors to the county council public‑safety committee if their concern is outside the commission’s remit. The commission asked staff to circulate MPD materials and to finalize logistics for agenda and accessibility before the next meeting.