Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council accepts Public Safety & Prevention tax annual report after departments detail programs and results
Summary
Fire, police and violence‑prevention staff reported on FY24‑25 Measure O/PSAP spending and outcomes — paramedic staffing, enforcement and outreach programs — and the council voted to accept the annual report 5‑0.
Santa Rosa council voted unanimously to accept the Public Safety & Prevention (PSAP) tax annual report for fiscal year 2024–25 after presentations from the fire department, police and the Violence Prevention Partnership.
Fire Chief Scott Wester detailed PSAP investments in staffing and equipment, noting PSAP helped fund paramedic staffing for engine and ladder companies and helped finance new fleet and station capital projects. "It makes up an entire engine company," Chief Wester said when describing PSAP‑funded positions that support paramedic response capacity.
Police Chief John Krieger and administrative services officer Pam Lawrence showed PSAP funded 17 police positions and fleet cameras, and described performance improvements including priority‑1 response times that have been trending toward the department’s sub‑6‑minute goal. The department said PSAP funding also paid for a new substation at Santa Rosa Plaza and contributed to traffic enforcement and community engagement efforts.
The Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) presented program results: increased referrals to the youth referral program (226 referrals), a high program completion rate (85 percent for referred youth), New Hope for Youth street outreach metrics, and a 'Clean Slate' tattoo‑removal program (27 intakes; 20 participants received treatment for 74 tattoos). VPP staff also warned of a recent uptick in shootings and described steps to coordinate community partners and schools in response.
Councilmember McDonald moved to accept the annual report; the motion passed with five affirmative votes. Several councilmembers commended the interagency approach and emphasized the need to protect PSAP investments given flat sales‑tax revenues supporting the measure.
What happens next: Staff will continue program evaluations, monitor response times and report back to the council as part of the city’s budgeting process.
