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Resident urges full-time downtown police presence and restoration of parking/code enforcement
Summary
A downtown business advocate asked council to extend funding for the downtown officer to cover weekends, add an overlapping officer and restore full-time parking/code enforcement to support downtown businesses.
During public comment at the March 3 meeting George Tyson, a downtown business owner or representative, told the council the current downtown policing presence has improved conditions and asked the city to extend funding so a downtown officer is present seven days a week. Tyson said the officer currently is scheduled Monday through Thursday and suggested funding Friday–Sunday coverage and an additional overlapping officer to ensure continuity during retirements or staffing changes. "We have noticed that the current police policy downtown is working," Tyson said.
Tyson also asked the council to restore full-time parking/code enforcement in downtown, noting the prior full-time parking/code enforcement role (he named a past officer, Richard, in passing) had been effective for businesses and customers. "Code enforcement works, and it helps our businesses," he said.
The council did not record a motion or take formal action on the request during the March 3 meeting; Tyson’s remarks were entered during the public-comment period and no staff response or new funding decision was recorded in the transcript.
