Residents press council for details on police consultant, officer departures and levy process

Residents raised pointed questions about the city’s handling of police staffing and a consultant review during the April 7 Reading City Council meeting. At the start of the public-comment period, resident Liza Durbin said she “still have[s] several questions about how the report was initiated,” asking who recommended and approved hiring the consultant, whether exit interviews were conducted after the loss of five officers, and what alternatives to the consultant were considered before spending taxpayer funds.

Durbin also criticized the way a ballot levy was presented to residents, saying planning messages that the project had been underway for 18 months conflicted with statements that the levy was an emergency and saying residents felt blindsided. Councilmember Shelly Kroeger asked Durbin to email her questions for follow-up; Durbin agreed. Councilmember Bob Boehner requested a concrete report on actions taken after the Crosden report and said he has experienced delays getting information from Safety Service Director Patrick Ross. The minutes note Ross was absent from the meeting.

Mayor Robert “Bo” Bemmes responded to Durbin’s concerns, saying he does not recall visiting the neighbor cited but will apologize if shown the instance. He noted residents may contact the Safety Service Director by email or call City Hall and said he regularly canvasses voters: “I knock on doors and have campaigned throughout my life, speaking my point of view and listening to others,” he said. The mayor also invited residents to email questions to council members and staff.

The council did not take formal action on the Crosden-related questions at the meeting; council members requested additional documentation and follow-up. Members and the mayor announced upcoming community facility tours and other opportunities for residents to review proposed facilities improvements and ask questions.