PSJ Minutes 10-23-24 Draft.pdf

Attachment A 
 
Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Ariz. 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent         
Councilman Kevin Robinson, Chair 
Councilwoman Betty Guardado  
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien  
Councilman Jim Waring  
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairman Robinson called the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee (PSJ) to order 
at 10:06 a.m. with Chairman Robinson, Councilwoman Guardado, and Councilman 
Waring present.  
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilman Waring made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2024, Public 
Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Guardado seconded the 
motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
CONSENT ACTION (ITEM 2) 
Item 2 was for consent action. No presentations were planned, but staff was available to 
answer questions.  
2. Recommended Changes to the 2024 Neighborhood Block Watch Program     
Application Guide and Process  
Councilwoman Guardado made a motion to approve Item 2. Councilman Waring 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0.  
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION 
3. Community Safety Plans Update 
Special Projects Administrator Nick Valenzuela, Police Assistant Chief Sean Kennedy, 
Assistant City Prosecutor Sarah DeJong, Neighborhood Services Director Spencer Self, 
and Office of Homeless Solutions Director Rachel Milne presented on this item.

Mr. Valenzuela began by expressing gratitude to different groups who contributed 
feedback and support for implementing the community safety initiatives. He then 
provided a status update on the Community Safety Plans (CSP) implemented to 
address safety and quality of life.  
Councilwoman O’Brien joined the meeting at 10:25 a.m. 
Chief Kennedy and Ms. DeJong provided an update on the crime detection and 
response strategy. Chief Kennedy stated the Real Time Operations Center has been a 
major benefit in crime suppression efforts and has positively impacted in each of the 
community safety plan areas. Ms. DeJong outlined the Prosecutor's Office's integral role 
in community safety through their comprehensive approach, which includes providing 
educational programs, collaborating with partners on crime prevention initiatives, and 
supporting enforcement efforts within CSP areas.  
Mr. Self presented an overview of ongoing educational programs and preventative 
measures being implemented to address concerns raised by the community. Mr. 
Valenzuela added through collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), the Crime 
Prevention Through Environmental Design webpage was created to help local property 
owners better protect their properties from criminal elements.  
Mr. Milne provided an update on staff’s work to increase access to services for 
individuals in the CSP areas.  
Councilman Waring left the meeting at 10:40 a.m.  
Mr. Valenzuela presented crime statistics from the Community Safety Plan areas, 
comparing data from before and after interventions. He highlighted the analysis 
distinguishes between consensual and non-consensual criminal activities. 
Councilwoman Guardado expressed gratitude to City staff for their work to acknowledge 
and act on the issues experienced by the community. She expressed gratitude to the 
neighborhood leaders for advocating to the programs. 
Councilwoman O'Brien thanked City staff and community members for their 
collaborative efforts in operationalizing the Real Time Operations Center and many of 
the shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness. Councilwoman O’Brien 
reaffirmed her dedication to expanding these critical resources citywide to address 
homelessness. 
Chairman Robinson thanked the presenters and partners.    
4. Community Assistance Program (CAP) Expansion Implementation and Metrics 
Update

Fire Assistant Chief Ray Ochoa and CAP Administrator DC Ernst presented on this 
item.  
Ms. Ernst provided an update Community Assistance Program.  
Councilwoman O’Brien asked why there has been an 18 percent increase in Crisis 
Response Unit (CRU) calls for service.  
Ms. Ernst explained the increase is attributed to two factors: enhanced staff training in 
call assessment and the expansion to six fully staffed units, which has improved the fire 
department's response capacity. 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if there is a way of tracking the number of calls the Fire 
Department is unable to respond to.  
Ms. Ernst confirmed and would be able to provide this information in the future. 
Councilwoman Guardado thanked the presenters for their work.  
Chairman Robinson asked if all 104 specialist applicants were going to be interviewed.  
Ms. Ernst stated only a select number of candidates would advance to the interview 
phase.  
Chairman Robinson commended the department's successful recruitment efforts. 
5. School Safety Update 
Police Commander William Jou presented on this item. 
Commander Jou thanked the Arizona Department of Education and participating school 
districts for ensuring a successful start to the academic year and for their positive 
reception of both School Resource Officers (SRO) and School Safety Officers (SSO). 
Commander Jou also shared that for School Year 2024-25, there are 69 SROs covering 
a total 80 schools. With both SRO and SSOs, the City was able to provide officers for 
nearly all schools requesting these services. He provided a school safety update and 
identified next steps to continue supporting local schools. These steps included moving 
to five days per week of eight-hour shifts, consulting on school safety plans, refreshing 
and standardizing training as well as providing resources to parents.  
Councilwoman O’Brien expressed appreciation for the change in schedule to 
accommodate the schools five days a week. She asked staff to identify the coverage 
process for when an SSO or SRO is unavailable.  
Commander Jou indicated the SSO or SRO advises their immediate supervisor of their 
unavailability and if there is coverage, extra patrol will do so. He added schools have 
the option to hire temporary SSO coverage when needed.

Councilwoman O’Brien expressed concern over an inundation of school threats at the 
start of the 24-25 school year. She asked if Police is taking any initiatives to educate on 
the severity of such threats.  
Commander Jou stated communication is ongoing through social media and several 
town halls. He added that the Violent Crimes Bureau responded to 80 threats, but these 
threats drop as the school year progresses.  
Councilwoman O’Brien  asked if this year was typical in terms of school threats 
received.  
Commander Jou stated in his experience with the Violent Crimes Bureau Lieutenant 
over the School Crimes Unit, there is typically a spike in the beginning of the year but 
then slowed due to SRO education.  
Councilwoman Guardado thanked Commander Jou and staff their initiatives.  
Chairman Robinson emphasized the positive role of the School Resource Officer (SRO) 
during his high school years, underscoring the critical importance of having an SRO on 
campus when students are present. He advocated for ongoing communication and 
coordination between Police, local schools, and the Department of Education to ensure 
awareness of any absences.  
INFORMATION ONLY  
6. Fire Staffing and Response Time Update 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
7. Phoenix Police Department Hiring, Recruitment, and Attrition Report 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
Chairman Robinson opened the floor to public comment.  
 
Eric Neilson shared a personal experience.   
 
Anne Ender asked questions relating to Police staffing, noting particular concerns with 
recruitment and retention.   
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 11:17 a.m.

Respectfully submitted, 
 
Destiny Dominguez 
Management Fellow