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Council hears public safety committee report: hires, equipment changes and grant prospects
Summary
The Public Safety Committee reported filled and open positions in police and fire, new firearm purchases due to a training ban, a $30,000 commitment toward a new fire boat, and pursuit of a SAFER grant to cover firefighter positions for 36 months.
City staff and committee members updated the City Council on public safety staffing and equipment needs, reporting recent hires, ongoing vacancies, equipment changes driven by training‑center rules, and grant opportunities to fund personnel.
Councilmember Cleveland McGrath, reporting from the public safety committee, said Chief Floyd reported that five levy positions were filled and four vacancies remain. She said two recently hired officers are in the academy and are expected to graduate in July. The committee discussed previously postponed vehicle purchases and noted lead times (eight‑to‑12 months) for ordering vehicles.
The committee also discussed a statewide Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) decision that led training centers to ban a type of handgun the department had purchased. As a result, staff are acquiring replacement firearms and arranging range training and certification; Cleveland McGrath said purchases will cover about one firearm per officer plus spares and expected training completion by mid‑summer.
On the fire side, the committee reported a recent academy graduate joining the department and one paramedic lateral hire; one paramedic vacancy remains after a recent resignation. The city has committed $30,000 toward initial construction of a new fire boat, and staff said an additional $30,000 in Port Support Security Grant funding has been confirmed. The committee also discussed applying for a SAFER grant to fund three firefighter positions for roughly 36 months; Chief Harris prepared a summary for council review.
Councilmembers praised public safety staff and urged continued attention to recruitment, equipment procurement lead times and interagency budgeting with the school district for the school resource officer program. No formal council actions were taken on those items during the meeting.
