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Brentwood chiefs report falling crime, flood rescues and equipment plans; hiring and fleet replacement discussed
Summary
Police and Fire/EMS chiefs briefed the Public Safety Committee: police said overall crime and nighttime car thefts are down and described two recent incidents; fire/EMS described flood rescues on Nov. 5 and said a reserve ambulance is slated for replacement in 2027 and the fire engine in January 2026.
Police and Fire/EMS leadership gave the committee multi-topic department updates, reporting lower crime trends, recent incidents, regional flood response, staffing changes and plans for vehicle and equipment replacement.
Police: The police chief said overall crime has been down for months and that nighttime car crime in particular has been low (one incident in three weeks). He described two cases: a missing man from the Vanmark Way Apartments who was later found in a creek and transported from Shrewsbury (when recovered his core temperature was about 77 degrees), and a theft at the Miriam shop during a fundraiser in which an employee is a suspect; the chief said there was no forced entry and no weapon was used, describing the incident as theft rather than robbery.
The chief also reported enforcement activity by Officer Brown (137 summons, 60 warnings, and 9 parking summons issued during a traffic detail) and updated the committee on officer injuries and staffing: Officer Jamie Clark was injured in an arrest attempt and is on light duty with required surgery; Sergeant Ben Drexel received a disability pension for a nerve disorder and the department is hiring to fill vacancies.
Police equipment and tech: The chief said all but one Flock camera have been deployed and a final camera remains to be installed pending coordination with county and utility partners; total deployed will be 10 once placed. He also explained a weapons purchase on the consent agenda was funded from the department's asset-forfeiture account and training timelines expect delivery in January with a train-the-trainer program and wider officer training by spring.
Fire/EMS: The fire/EMS chief told the committee the city intends to sign an agreement after Jan. 1 to reserve a place in line for a new ambulance to be built and delivered in 2027; the reserve ambulance being replaced is a 2012 model. The fire engine delivery is slated for January 2026. The department completed annual NFPA certifications and noted minor ladder repairs; the chief also described coordinated flood-response operations on Nov. 5, including an area command post and swift-water rescues coordinated with St. Charles County resources.
Hiring: Fire/EMS extended a conditional offer to a candidate currently at the fire academy; that hire will begin after the candidate completes preemployment checks and a start date will follow in the new year. The chief said the regionwide pool of trained officers remains tight, affecting recruitment timelines.
What happens next: chiefs will follow up with specifics (mileage on ambulances and exact grant amounts) in future reports; the committee accepted equipment purchases and moved to process grant-funded cardiac-monitor procurement through the budget process.
