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City manager updates council on downtown shooting response, traffic enforcement and staffing moves
Summary
City Manager Sohaney briefed the council on an active downtown shooting investigation, an expanded traffic enforcement initiative that has issued about 1,800 citations since May 11, progress in police chief recruitment, beach seaweed management and organizational changes moving ocean rescue and emergency management to fire services.
City Manager Sohaney updated the council on public safety and operational matters, including an investigation into a late-night downtown shooting. He said police and fire-rescue personnel responded quickly, secured the scene and provided emergency medical aid; the investigation remains active and the city issued a press release with a promise of additional information as it becomes available.
Sohaney said the city's traffic enforcement effort has issued about 1,800 citations since May 11 and that traffic stops have increased roughly 80% since the initiative began in early May; the city is also running public-education measures tied to enforcement.
He reported the police chief recruitment process is underway: eight candidates were interviewed, finalists will be evaluated in a second round starting June 5, and an offer is anticipated around June 9 with a potential start date in mid-June to mid-July.
On operations, Sohaney said daily beach seaweed management continues with attention to sea turtle nesting at sites including Gumbo Limbo, Spanish River Park, Red Reef Park and South Beach Park; private beachfront properties coordinate separate cleanup with vendors. He also highlighted that the city's water treatment plant received a 2025 Outstanding Water Treatment Plant award from the Florida section of the American Water Works Association.
Sohaney described organizational changes moving ocean rescue and emergency management into fire services, and transferring park rangers to the police department with a standard operating procedure in development; communications and beautification functions are also being realigned among departments.
Sohaney reminded residents of hurricane-season preparedness, promoted the city's online project tracker on myboca.us and noted upcoming schedule items including budget meetings on June 18 and September dates tied to statutory timelines.
No formal action was taken on these updates.
