Chief reports seasonal rise in drug and gun cases, says proactive enforcement accounts for some increase

Committee members reviewed June departmental reports and asked whether recent data reflected an increase in more-serious crimes. The chief said some categories—possession and intent-to-distribute, and other drug- and gun-related incidents—are higher than the prior year in raw counts and that the department's proactive enforcement and increased patrols contribute to the uptick. "We're getting them and making arrests and charges and confiscating guns and drugs that are out here illegally," the chief said.

Committee members heard that seasonal patterns typically push some categories up during busy months and that staff expect the numbers to fall in subsequent reports. The committee did not take additional action beyond asking staff to monitor trends and include pertinent data in the next departmental report.