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West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James Highlights Housing, 12% Crime Drop and Police Leadership Change in State of the City
Summary
In his sixth State of the City address Mayor Keith James cited a 12% drop in crime, renewed emphasis on affordable and workforce housing, the Jumpstart Academy for entrepreneurs, and said he replaced the police chief after alleged financial improprieties among top command staff.
West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James used his sixth State of the City address to outline recent progress on housing and public safety, note a 12% reduction in crime, and say he removed the city’s police chief after allegations involving members of the department’s top command staff.
“The state of our city reflects the boundless potential of its people. We are strong and getting stronger,” James said during the address, which emphasized local programs and the city’s economic and tourism gains.
James said the city is pushing to expand affordable and workforce housing, calling stable housing a goal that remains out of reach for many families. “For too many families, the dream of stable housing feels out of reach,” he said, framing housing as a central priority for future work.
He highlighted the city’s Jumpstart Academy as an example of local efforts to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses and noted broader steps to strengthen public safety, including improvements in equipment and training. James said overall reported crime is down about 12% compared with the prior period cited in his remarks.
James also addressed problems within the police department’s leadership. He said members of the department’s top command staff were allegedly involved in financial improprieties and referenced an incident involving West Palm Beach officers in Boynton Beach that he characterized as a “gross disregard of professional judgment.” “Restoring trust demanded decisive action. So I took that action by replacing the then police chief,” he said.
On tourism, James pointed to outside recognition of the city’s appeal: he noted that Tripadvisor named West Palm Beach to its Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” list for destinations.
The remarks were delivered as a ceremonial State of the City address; no formal council votes or ordinance actions were recorded in the transcript. WPB TV reporter Cheryl Kahn covered the address.
