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Public Safety committee reviews Q1 policing data, speed monitoring plan and a vacant property at 1819 Dallas
Summary
The Public Safety committee heard Q1 police and fire reports showing increased call volume and staffed capacity, discussed redeploying a city‑owned speed monitor for 7 days, considered enforcement vs. speed humps, and agreed to appraise a long‑vacant city property at 1819 Dallas Ave.
The Public Safety committee reviewed first‑quarter police and fire data and discussed operational priorities including staffing, mutual aid and traffic enforcement. City staff reported the police department has 16 officers on duty with capacity for 18 and that mutual aid accounted for 82 calls in the quarter; staff said violent crime appears to have decreased while overall calls are up regionally.
Brandon Davis briefed the committee on a planned partnership with Justice Works to deliver cognitive‑behavioral programming aimed at preventing recidivism; members welcomed the pilot as an early‑intervention option. Committee members also addressed code‑enforcement staffing and complex cases such as keeping farm animals off residential lots.
On traffic safety, staff said the city will redeploy a city‑owned speed‑monitoring device for short multi‑day runs (staff recommended up to 7 days) and increase visible patrols and citations where appropriate. Committee members debated permanent traffic‑calming measures such as speed humps versus stepped enforcement; Mary Jo Zorpe urged enforcement, saying she has allowed officers "to sit in my driveway" to monitor dangerous cross‑streets.
The committee also reviewed concerns about a city‑owned vacant house at 1819 Dallas Ave. Staff said the interior is unsafe, windows and openings have been secured, and public‑works and code enforcement will maintain the exterior; members asked staff to obtain an appraisal and explore disposition options.
Chair Kathy Cureton adjourned the committee after miscellaneous business; no formal votes on the items were recorded in the transcript.
