Council accepts first-quarter crime report; discussion highlights ShotSpotter data and nonpolice responses

The City Council voted to accept the fiscal-year 2025 first-quarter crime report after a presentation from police command staff and a period of council questions and discussion.

Deputy Chief Patrice Andrews and other staff provided maps showing concentrations of shootings. Councilmembers asked whether the map corresponded to areas targeted by local violence-intervention partners such as Bull City United and by ShotSpotter sensor coverage; staff said the highest concentrations of shootings did mirror ShotSpotter-identified areas.

Councilmembers debated operational responses. Some described models in which a nonpolice responder or violence-intervention team visits residences the day after a gun incident to offer services and information; one councilmember described successful pilot models in partner cities where community responders visited blocks identified by sensor data. Police staff clarified that the city historically has deployed law-enforcement canvassing but has not previously deployed HEART or other unarmed responders based solely on technology-driven identification of shots fired.

Councilmembers said the report''s mapping supports targeted community canvassing and that such canvasses could be a useful public-safety and outreach tool if paired with appropriate supports. Discussion also touched on resources, data-sharing and partnerships with community organizations.

After questions and discussion the council accepted the report by unanimous vote. Staff indicated additional requested information on the crime map and underlying data had been appended to the council packet for members to review.