PSJ Minutes 2-5-24-Draft.pdf

Attachment A 
 
Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, February 5, 2025 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson Street 
Phoenix, AZ 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent         
Councilman Kevin Robinson, Chair                  
Councilwoman Betty Guardado  
Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien  
Councilman Jim Waring  
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairman Robinson called the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee (PSJ) to order 
at 10:04 a.m. with Vice Mayor O’Brien, Councilwoman Guardado, and Councilman 
Waring present.  
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
Orla Bobo commented on the need improve Phoenix Fire Department response times 
and address recruitment challenges. She advocated additional funding for public safety 
be prioritized.      
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Meeting 
Vice Mayor O’Brien made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2025, 
Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman Guardado seconded 
the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION 
2. Light Rail Security Update 
Light Rail Administrator Markus Coleman, Police Commander Leif Myers, and Valley 
Metro Director of Safety, Security, and Quality Assurance Adrian Ruiz, presented on 
this item.   
Mr. Coleman noted the presentation is an update to efforts that have been implemented 
to improve light rail security.

Commander Myers provided an overview of the Phoenix Police Transit Unit noting that 
it is responsible for investigating transit-related crimes, supporting Valley Metro security, 
and responding to service calls. In terms of staffing, the Transit Unit has four 
enforcement squads  and an explosive detection canine squad. Canine teams 
participated in 94 downtown events, contributing 2,590 staff hours. The Transit Unit 
handled 1,437 criminal investigations, made 1,766 arrests, and submitted 4,596 cases 
for prosecution. Moreover, Commander Myers shared the Enhanced Light Rail Security 
Plan which provides additional support to Valley Metro security twice a week and are 
specifically targeted in areas of community concern. Lastly, Commander Myers 
highlighted that the Transit Unit also focuses on community engagement and 
partnerships, noting that as the light rail extends south, precincts in those areas will 
increase community involvement. 
Ms. Ruiz provided context on the partnership of Valley Metro with the City of Phoenix, 
specifically detailing the security strategy in place.  
Councilman Waring asked the total number of passenger assault incidents from 
January to June 2023 and July to December 2024.  
Ms. Ruiz reported a total of 20 incidents in the first half of the year and 16 in the latter 
half. 
Councilman Waring asked what the total ridership was for 2023 and 2024. 
Ms. Ruiz reported 9.9 million riders in 2023 and 10.2 million in 2024.  
Councilman Waring acknowledged progress has been made to increase ridership and 
security is being added to support this increase. He asked when Valley Metro has last 
provided an update.  
Ms. Ruiz stated a formal presentation was given to the Council in the Summer 2023 and 
a report was shared in 2024.  
Councilwoman Guardado asked for clarification on safety concerns along 19th Avenue 
from Dunlap to Camelback. She noted that constituents have expressed feeling unsafe. 
Councilwoman Guardado asked if any feedback had been received regarding this 
specific corridor. 
Mr. Coleman emphasized enforcement on the light rail extends beyond fare compliance 
to include adherence to code of conduct rules, ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride. He 
explained the goal is to improve security visibility along the rail through ongoing 
partnerships with ambassadors, Allied Universal, and the Transit Unit, creating a 
layered approach to service delivery.

Councilwoman Guardado asked for clarification on the role of the Light Rail 
Ambassador. 
Mr. Coleman explained that ambassadors focus on enhancing the rider experience by 
monitoring the environment, including maintenance, and assisting passengers with 
navigation and route guidance. 
Councilwoman Guardado continued to express concerns about the activity in the area 
and asked how Police can more effectively address these challenges.    
Commander Myers recognized that the area around 19th Avenue is challenging. In order 
to address the challenges in the area and the surrounding communities, multiple 
stakeholders including all surrounding precincts and the community needed to be 
involved.  
Councilwoman Guardado requested a plan be discussed to address challenges in that 
area and emphasized the importance of engaging the community to gather ideas on 
possible solutions. 
Councilman Waring recognized the area around 19th Avenue faces challenges and 
shared that he has received feedback claiming the light rail negatively impacted 
surrounding neighborhoods. He expressed frustration with dedicating excessive 
resources to certain areas while neglecting others. 
Ms. Ruiz continued the presentation by outlining additional measures Valley Metro has 
taken to address security concerns. 
Chairman Robinson asked how the community can communicate concerns.  
Ms. Ruiz explained non-emergency concerns can be reported through the Alert Valley 
Metro App. The concern is directed to a console operator, who then takes the 
appropriate action to address the issue. 
Ms. Ruiz continued the presentation by providing details on cleaning and maintenance 
of the light rail, fare collection system modernization, and fare inspection and security 
service contract. She noted that next steps included continued coordination with all 
partners, as well as support the opening of the South Central Light Rail extension.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked staff to follow-up with the total number of prosecutions from 
the 4,596 criminal charges submitted.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked how many out of the 2,281 trespassing warnings were 
trespassed off the light rail.  
 
Commander Myers noted all warnings consist of individuals who were removed from the 
platform.

Vice Mayor O’Brien asked for clarification on the difference between warning and 
citation.  
Commander Myers stated that a warning is a one-time chance to vacate the light rail 
and a citation is issued if they return.  
Moreover, Vice Mayor O’Brien asked that Metro District Community Collaboration be 
added to the list of partnerships.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked if the new fare system has been fully implemented.  
Ms. Ruiz confirmed yes.  
Councilwoman Guardado recommended that pressure washing occur more than once 
per week at light rail stops where there is more activity.  
Ms. Ruiz mentioned that power washing will be brought in-house, with the team now 
responsible for making this maintenance more frequent. 
Councilman Waring asked if the trespassing warnings occurred at the light rail station.   
Commander Myers confirmed that all trespassing warnings occurred at the platform.  
Councilman Waring questioned whether one in 10 riders receive citations, referencing 
the provided metric of 3,280 citations issued out of 34,581 riders. 
Commander Myers confirmed that one in 10 riders are cited, but stated he did not have 
the breakdown of the types of citations.  
Councilman Waring expressed concern over the number of arrests and further stated 
that safety issues discourage light rail ridership.   
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked if the cameras at the Thelda Williams Transit Center were a 
part of the Real Time Operations Center (RTOC).  
Ms. Ruiz stated the cameras are ready to be incorporated into the RTOC and that 
communication with the City of Phoenix is ongoing to determine when they would be 
incorporated.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked Phoenix staff when the cameras would be incorporated into 
the RTOC.  
Mr. Coleman stated that the deadline for the transition has not been decided but would 
follow-up.  
Councilman Waring asked staff to determine the total of riders subsiding light rail.

Councilwoman Guardado asked if the numbers for arrests and citations presented 
representative of the totals across the board.  
Mr. Coleman noted the activities were specific for activities along the 19th Avenue 
corridor and during the Code Compliance Program. He recognized that the behaviors 
experienced in that corridor, which has been identified as a hotspot, will be different 
when compared to others.  
Chairman Robinson asked for clarification on the light rail hours of operation and the 
Transit Unit work hours.  
Ms. Ruiz stated the light rail operates from 3:30 am – 2:30 am. Commander Meyers 
stated the two enforcement shifts run from 6 am – 1 am.  
Chairman Robinson encouraged the Police Department to engage with the community 
to further understand concerns.  
3. City of Phoenix Prosecutor’s Office Overview 
City Prosecutor James Sampanes presented this item.  
Mr. Sampanes provided an overview of criminal jurisdiction which includes 
misdemeanor crimes committed within the City limits, noting that the Office doesn’t not 
prosecute felonies.  
Next, Mr. Sampanes stated the mission of the Prosecutors Office is to provide effective 
and efficient justice for all. He noted that prosecutors are directed and bound by 
agencies such as the Arizona Supreme Court and American Bar Association.  
Mr. Sampanes outlined the criminal case process, which involves the Police, 
Prosecutor, and Court. He explained that the Police serve as the first filter, relying on 
their experience, judgment, and de-escalation skills before taking enforcement action. If 
charges are filed, they are forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office. The final filter is the 
Court, where the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.  
Next, Mr. Sampanes detailed the relationship between the Prosecutor’s Office and the 
Police Department. He noted both agencies meet regularly and discuss issues, seek 
understanding of issues facing the community, assist with training in area of expertise, 
and provide clear, consistent information. For example, he explained that while Police 
may make an arrest based on their perspective of probable cause, prosecutors must 
evaluate it from a legal standpoint to determine whether it was properly established. 
Further, Mr. Sampanes provided an example of a ticket submission initially classified as 
a misdemeanor by the Police, later re-evaluated as a felony by Prosecutors, and 
ultimately dismissed and forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO). 
Councilwoman Guardado asked what happens to the individual when a case is 
dismissed as referenced in the example above.

Mr. Sampanes indicated this a frequent occurrence. He stated that if the individual is in 
custody, they would be released and the case would be reviewed by the MCAO. At the 
point, they may proceed with charges or return back to the Prosecutor’s Office.  
Councilwoman Guardado asked why individuals who are charged with a felony are 
released and not held in custody.  
Mr. Sampanes noted MCAO ultimately has the discretion to determine whether it will be 
formally charged as a felony. 
Councilwoman Guardado asked why there isn’t a system in place that would allow the 
individual to be transferred between agencies versus getting released.  
Mr. Sampanes explained the Maricopa County Attorney's Office (MCAO) has a process 
requiring them to decide the outcome of a case within 48 hours in order to hold 
someone in custody on a felony charge. In Phoenix, however, such a process does not 
exist because the individual could be released from custody before a decision is made.  
Next, Mr. Sampanes provided context on domestic violence cases that came through 
the Prosecutor’s Office. He noted that in FY2023-24, 21 percent of all cases are 
domestic violence related. Furthermore, he provided the breakdown of cases by type 
noting that majority are assaults, followed by criminal damage and interfering with 
judicial proceedings and violation of order of protection. Mr. Sampanes also provided 
the domestic violence dispositions and noted that 27 percent of cases are dismissed, 18 
percent plead, and 27 percent declined.  
Mr. Sampanes shared a story about an individual who faced six trespassing charges but 
was not arrested but rather cited. The person failed to appear in court for those charges, 
which eventually led to their incarceration. However, they participated in community 
court and successfully graduated, resulting in the dismissal of all charges. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien echoed Councilwoman Guardado’s concern about releasing 
individuals before they are convicted. She supported the implementation of a system to 
address this issue.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked for clarification on what is encompassed in the 27 percent of 
declined cases.  
Mr. Sampanes stated Police detectives submit the charges to the Prosecutor’s Office 
and that it may be declined by the Office for several reasons.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked if detectives have the opportunity to continue working on the 
case.

Mr. Sampanes explained that, in addition to cases being declined, there are instances 
where the Prosecutor’s Office requests additional information to gain a better 
understanding of how to proceed with prosecution. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked if cases sent to MCAO are considered declines.  
Mr. Sampanes stated he was not aware and he would follow-up with that information.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked the breakdown of cases forwarded to MCAO be provided.  
Councilman Waring expressed frustration with the repeated lack of repercussions for 
individuals, specifically referencing the story provided above. He mentioned that 
incidents of trespassing, such as the one in the example, contribute to the challenges 
presented by Proposition 312 and noted the City will struggle to defend itself due to its 
reluctance to convict. He asked Mr. Sampanes to provide insight into this issue.  
Mr. Sampanes explained that prosecuting misdemeanor cases enables corrective 
actions, like those intended by the community court. He noted the community court is 
advantageous as it provides benefits to the community and, ideally, helps prevent 
recidivism. 
Councilman Waring expressed frustration with the approach that provides multiple 
opportunities for corrective action and further asked a presentation be given that would 
provide insight into the repercussions of Proposition 312.  
Councilwoman Guardado asked for clarification on the process for prosecution arrests.  
Mr. Sampanes mentioned that this has been a focus for the Prosecutor’s Office. He 
emphasized the individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable 
doubt. Additionally, if the individual is booked, the Prosecutor’s Office ensures a 
national criminal background check is conducted to provide the judge with as much 
information as possible, along with requesting a substantial bond amount. 
Councilwoman Guardado asked what the requirements are to book someone.  
Mr. Sampanes explained that an officer must have probable cause, such as evidence of 
intent to commit the offense. Officers can make this determination by observing and 
interacting with the individual. 
Councilwoman Guardado noted she is aware individuals are returning to certain areas 
and asked how many attempts an individual will be allowed before they keep coming 
back. 
Mr. Sampanes responded travel restrictions prevent individuals from returning to the 
area, if bail is granted.

Councilwoman Guardado expressed that these restrictions are not being enforced 
enough and called for stricter systems to prevent recurrence. 
Chairman Robinson asked if it is a frequent occurrence for prosecutor’s to ask for 
further information on a police report.  
Mr. Sampanes stated it does occur frequently, and practical advice is provided to the 
Police to ensure these process improvements are being implemented. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked for clarification on the difference between case declines and 
dismissals.  
Mr. Sampanes explained that dismissals include the rationale behind the decision, while 
declines provide reasoning based on missing information. 
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked if this information is tracked.  
Mr. Sampanes indicated this information will be included in the update to the case 
management system.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked if prosecutorial discretion needs to be articulated to be 
considered a part of the reasoning for a dismissal or decline.  
Mr. Sampanes indicated prosecutors always have discretion, but added to have clear 
and consistent communication, rationale is provided.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked how many Class 3 misdemeanors an individual can have 
before it is upgraded to another class misdemeanor of felony. Further, she asked how 
many more times someone can continue to break the law before proceeding with 
prosecution.  
Mr. Sampanes indicated there are no Class 3 misdemeanors that lead to a felony 
charge aside from driving under the influence, domestic violence prosecution, or 
shoplifting. Others can continue to add up without a felony charge.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien expressed concerns about the lack of accountability for Class 3 
misdemeanors, noting that issuing citations in lieu of detention (CLD) can continue to be 
issued without consequences. 
Mr. Sampanes indicated when citations are given, offenders are assigned a court date, 
and if they fail to appear, a warrant for their arrest will be issued.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien requested a follow-up on the total number of CLDs issued for 
recurring offenders, as well as the number of outstanding warrants for individuals who 
did not show up to court.  
4. Phoenix Police Department Recruitment, Hiring, and Attrition Update

Police Commander William Jou and Police Commander Sara Garza presented on this 
item.  
Commander Jou provided an update on staffing, noting as of January 1, 2025, the 
Police Department was staffed with 2,506 officers and had a hiring target of 3,125. 
Additionally, Police saw an increase in the number of applications received, increasing 
from 2,571 in 2023 to 3,027 in 2024. Of those, five and a half percent of all applicants 
were hired. On the other hand, Commander Jou indicated 204 officers separated from 
Police in 2024, a decrease since the peak in 2019. Most separations were due to 
DROP, Early Drop, and retirement. He indicated that in 2026, hiring should catch up 
and overtake attrition from separations. This projection is calculated by analyzing the 
historical average attrition of officers per month, considering the known scheduled 
retirements, and having a hiring target of 35 new hires every two months. This 
projection indicates a total of 2,603 officers in December 2027.  
Councilman Waring inquired about the last time the Police Department had fewer than 
2,600 officers. 
Commander Jou noted he did not have the exact year but estimated it to have been in 
the 1990’s.  
Councilman Waring expressed frustration with the staffing levels.  
Commander Garza presented on the Police Academy retention numbers. She indicated 
out of 17 academies across the State, the Phoenix Police Academy has one the highest 
retention rates, noting that in 2023, 75 percent recruits were retained. This is attributed 
to the quality of recruits hired, quality of training, and wellness measures. On the other 
hand, reasons recruits are leaving include personal reasons, sickness or injury, 
academics, or lack of time in the Academy.  
Next, Commander Garza spoke about officer retention in the Field Training Officer 
(FTO) programs. She noted retention numbers are also high with 75 percent retained in 
2023. Reasons recruits are not retained include insufficient performance with standard 
evaluation guidelines and personal issues.  
Commander Garza added there were 100 recruits undergoing the Academy, a number 
that continues to increase.  
Chairman Robinson asked how many classes there are. 
Commander Garza responded that the recruits are divided into a total of 4 classes.  
Commander Jou stated next steps include the development of strategies to increase 
hiring rates and decrease attrition rates, integrate Recruiting Team with Community

Action Officers and Community Engagement Unit, and continue promoting public safety 
events and outreach in partnership with Phoenix Fire.  
Vice Mayor O’Brien expressed concerns with current staffing levels in comparison to 
previous years. She asked how many applicants are making it past the AZ Post 
qualifications to be certified.  
Commander Jou stated that the Phoenix Police Department screens applicants, and if 
new information emerges during the process, they can consult with AZ Post to 
determine the appropriate next steps. At the conclusion of the application process, a 
packet is submitted recommending the best candidates for certification. 
 
Vice Mayor O’Brien asked whether the projection of 2,603 officers by December 2027 
assumed that 35 new hires would be added every two months. 
 
Commander Jou confirmed.  
 
Vice Mayor O’Brien stated the hiring of 35 officers every two months should be 
considered a goal rather than a projection, as the projected retention rates indicate the 
total number of officers will not reach 2,603. 
 
Chairman Robinson asked what factors are contributing to the lack of hiring recruits. 
 
Commander Jou indicated it is mostly adherence to the AZ Post standards. 
 
Chairman Robinson asked whether the standards include drug use and undisclosed 
arrests. 
 
Commander Jou responded that he would need to reference the research which is 
currently being collected. He added that if an applicant is otherwise qualified but faces a 
barrier preventing them from moving forward, they can petition for a waiver through the 
AZ Post board. 
 
Chairman Robinson asked whether recruits receive assistance during the Academy to 
ensure they meet all requirements for AZ Post certification. He cited the physical 
examination as an example. 
 
Commander Jou stated there is ongoing communication and coaching with applicants. 
Referring to the example given, he noted that the physical fitness failure rate is only 0.1 
percent, which he attributed to the recruitment team's consistent engagement. 
Additionally, dedicated roles have been established to ensure applicants remain 
engaged and progress through the application process. He also highlighted that the 
Public Information Officer (PIO) Team has started hosting Instagram Live sessions, 
allowing applicants to interact with a PIO and get their questions answered—an initiative 
that has been successful so far.

Chairman Robinson stated individuals who reach the end of the Field Training Officer 
(FTO) program are generally assumed to have secured their place within the Phoenix 
Police Department. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that training is 
conducted effectively. 
 
Anne Ender commented on the Phoenix Police report and expressed concerns over 
staffing levels and morale.  
 
INFORMATION ONLY 
5. Fire Department Staffing and Response Times Update and Information Request 
Report  
Councilman Waring asked if information regarding staffing and response times have 
been shared with the media.  
Fire Chief Michael Duran indicated information has not been shared with the media.  
Councilman Waring asked why there are significantly less calls for service in District 2 in 
comparison to other Districts. He specifically asked about calls for altered states of 
conscious noting District 2 less of these calls than other Council Districts.  
Chief Tim Kreis stated that these differences are being examined in collaboration with 
Maricopa County to gain a clearer understanding. 
Councilman Waring further indicated calls for service are significantly increased. He 
specifically noted increase in calls for service and noted the type of calls that show big 
discrepancies such as difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, and car accidents.  
Chief Kreis reaffirmed that the discrepancies in call volumes will be studied to 
understand the underlying causes. 
Councilman Waring asked if the conversion of Rescue 45 and Rescue 49 to full time 
units will theoretically reduce response times throughout the entire system and 
particularly in District 2.  
Chief Kreis confirmed and noted that response times in District 2 are improving as of 
January 2025.  
Councilman Waring indicated he did not understand why the two new fire stations are 
not going to be placed in District 2 since it experiences the highest call volumes. He 
asked when District 2 should expect a new fire station.  
Chief Duran stated fire stations are typically proposed for construction during the 
General Bond process.

Councilman Waring asked progress Fire calls for service and recruitment be shared in 
the future.   
Councilwoman O’Brien left the meeting at 12:54 PM.   
Councilwoman Guardado emphasized that the quality of life in South Phoenix is 
significantly worse compared to other areas. She requested that access to healthcare 
and food be included in a follow-up report. 
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays noted data on social determinants of health and other 
factors influencing higher call volumes could be provided in a follow-up meeting across 
different districts. 
Councilwoman Guardado inquired about the timeline for a comprehensive report. 
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays indicated that a more detailed report could take up to 
6 months to produce. 
Chief Duran added the Fire Department is looking at alternative types of responses, 
such as telehealth, with a goal of diverting calls.  
Councilman Waring asked if the Transaction Privilege Tax increase being proposed will 
result in more firefighters and new fire stations.  
Assistant City Manager Bays stated the full City Council would need to discuss where to 
allocate the funding, if they choose to do so and if the proposed increase is approved. 
However, she mentioned it was possible. 
6. Community Assistance Program (CAP) Expansion Implementation Report 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
7. Police Call Data and Response Time Information Requests 
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
Denice Garcia commented on ongoing litigation, noting a Phoenix Police Officer 
involved in the case had appeared at her home. She requested that Police leadership 
investigate the incident and determine how to prevent it from happening in the future. 
 
Roland Harris expressed support for Denice Garcia, emphasizing this should not be 
happening. Additionally, he noted that with the Department of Justice investigation on 
hold, there is an opportunity for the Police to review and improve their policies. 
 
Mimi Aria also voiced support for Denice Garcia, stressing this situation should not be 
occurring. She indicated there are systemic issues that cannot be addressed solely 
through public safety measures.

Requel Britain commented on the inconvenience of morning meetings, noting their 
inaccessibility. She urged City Departments to improve coordination to ensure 
discussions are more focused on constituents' needs rather than solely on funding. 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
Chairman Robinson asked for a follow-up on the Police Department response to mass 
demonstrations.  
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 1:15 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Destiny Dominguez 
Management Fellow