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Mayor: public safety is top priority as West Palm Beach reports crime declines, a new police contract
Summary
Mayor Keith James said public safety is his administration's top priority, citing crime decreases, prostitution operations that led to arrests, and a recently approved contract with the Fraternal Order of Police that included 22% pay increases for officers and certain sergeants and lieutenants.
Mayor Keith James said "public safety is job number 1" and reported a drop in overall crime and in several violent-crime categories during his Jan. 30 State of the City speech.
The mayor told the audience the city recorded a 12% decrease in overall crime and said violent crime declined 8.2% in 2023 and 14% in 2024. He linked the trends to investments in personnel and technology and to targeted enforcement and community engagement.
Operational details: James said the police department conducted 14 prostitution operations in 2024 that resulted in 111 arrests. He described a recent neighborhood operation that led to arrests of six teenagers described as career offenders who had been dealing drugs in parks.
Police labor agreement: The mayor said city officials approved a new contract with the Fraternal Order of Police that included 22% pay increases for officers, sergeants and lieutenants, increased pension contributions and additional benefits. He framed the compensation changes as part of retaining and attracting public-safety personnel but did not present the contract text during the speech.
Leadership and standards: James told the audience he removed the city's police chief after staff in top command were alleged to have been involved in financial improprieties and after an incident involving West Palm Beach officers in Boynton Beach that he said reflected poor professional judgment. He said those actions were taken to restore public trust.
What was not specified: The mayor provided percentage declines and arrest totals as part of his remarks but did not deliver detailed crime statistics broken down by neighborhood, nor did he release the police contract document during the address.
