Police report: mental‑health calls increasing; council approves purchase of a 2025 Dodge Durango

Police Chief Katie McMillan presented the department's August statistics, noting 390 calls and a marked increase in mental‑health related incidents that require longer on‑scene time for officers. McMillan said accidents and harassment reports were up while certain disturbance categories were down, and she described staffing and training demands associated with mental‑health responses.

McMillan said officers sometimes spend extended periods on single calls: "I had an officer who was out on a call for two and a half hours with a mental health call," and she said such calls require time, appropriate training and coordination with emergency responders. She also noted speed‑enforcement efforts on Highway 23 and near schools and said the department is coordinating with the county sheriff's office for additional enforcement coverage.

On a separate line item, McMillan asked permission to purchase a 2025 Dodge Durango for patrol use and presented cost comparisons against a Ford Interceptor and a Chevy Tahoe. She recommended the Durango as a budget‑wise choice; council moved and unanimously approved the purchase and discussed disposition of an older vehicle.

No additional policy changes or staffing authorizations were made during the report; McMillan said the department will pursue additional training and continue coordination with regional partners to address long mental‑health calls and enforcement needs.