Attachment A - April 1, 2026 PSJ Minutes

Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, April 1, 2026 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson St. 
Phoenix, Arizona 
Subcommittee Members Present     
 Subcommittee Members Absent    
Councilman Kevin Robinson, Chair     
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien         
Councilman Jim Waring 
Councilmember Betty Guardado 
CALL TO ORDER 
Councilman Robinson called the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee (PSJ) to order 
at 10:04 a.m. with Councilwoman O’Brien present. Councilman Waring and 
Councilwoman Guardado attended virtually. 
Councilman Waring joined the meeting in person at 10:18 a.m. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC 
None 
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION  
Items on the agenda were called out of order. 
2. Downtown Operations Unit Update
Police Department Assistant Chief Brian Lee Commander David Seitter presented on 
the item.  
Councilwoman O’Brien noted the potential addition of another squad and asked whether 
this would result in 24/7 coverage within the year and if it related to the same type of 
squad. 
Chief Lee stated the squad had been allotted eight positions but currently had only four 
filled full-time. He confirmed the intent to add four additional positions to reach the full 
allocation. 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if the additional positions would enhance coverage, 
including extended or improved 24/7 coverage or improved coverage during the 
specified hours. 
ATTACHMENT A

Chief Lee stated if the squad were fully staffed with eight positions, it would provide 
24-hour coverage; however, a few days each week would still lack coverage. He noted 
achieving full 24-hour, seven-day-a-week coverage would require adding a second shift 
Three Squad. 
Councilwoman O’Brien noted the significant growth occurring in the downtown area and 
the resulting increased need for public safety resources. She stated appreciation for the 
unit’s efforts to ensure 24/7 safety coverage.  
Councilman Robinson stated that the unit had clearly identified what was best for the 
downtown area and highlighted positive feedback from visitors, including consistent 
courtesy and professionalism from officers. He added partners in the downtown area 
had expressed satisfaction with the unit’s responsiveness and shared that, through 
service on the Visit Phoenix board, they regularly heard positive firsthand accounts.  
3. Community Court Update 
Office of Homeless Solutions Deputy Director Scott Hall, Office of Public Defender 
Director Ward, and Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Sarah DeJong presented on the 
item. 
Councilwoman O’Brien noted the program had been in place for two years and asked 
whether staff collected additional data from participants who chose to opt out, in order to 
identify any gaps that might need to be addressed. 
Mr. Hall noted that some people declined participation early because they wanted the 
quickest resolution. 
Mr. Ward added that many clients, particularly those experiencing homelessness, were 
skeptical of the process and preferred to exit the system as quickly as possible. He 
noted that some individuals did not believe the services offered would materialize and 
were more comfortable returning to familiar routines, even if those circumstances were 
difficult.  Mr. Ward also explained the program required ongoing commitments such as 
attending court, staying in contact with a case manager, and following service referrals, 
which some participants were unwilling to do, making the regular courtroom a simpler 
option for them. 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked staff to elaborate on what occurred when individuals were 
returned to regular court for not meeting program expectations. 
Ms. DeJong explained individuals who chose not to participate in Community Court 
were returned to a regular court division, where they received a standard offer based on 
their criminal history and case facts. She noted prosecutors and defense attorneys were 
familiar with the program, and individuals who initially declined could be eligible to return 
to Community Court in future cases when they were ready. She emphasized the 
importance of meeting participants where they were and educating all courthouse 
partners on available opportunities.

Councilwoman O’Brien expressed support for efforts to encourage participants to opt 
into Community Court, noting the benefits to both individuals and the community. 
Councilwoman O’Brien emphasized the importance of maintaining program standards 
to preserve its strong success rate and requested future tracking of three‑ and five‑year 
outcomes. 
Councilwoman Guardado highlighted the positive outcomes seen through collaboration 
between Community Court partners and the Office of Homeless Solutions. She 
expressed appreciation for the team’s continued efforts and stated that their office was 
available to provide support as needed.  
Councilman Robinson thanked the team for its hard work and expressed appreciation 
for the presentation. 
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
4. Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilman Waring made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 4, 2026 Public 
Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting. Councilwoman O’Brien seconded the motion 
which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
INFORMATION ONLY  
5. Laveen Tower Update 
6. Fire Staffing and Response Time Report 
 
Councilman Waring asked for an update on the new fire operations in District 2, noting a 
prior budget discussion on the topic and inquiring about the project’s status and its 
anticipated launch by the end of the fiscal year. 
 
Chief Kreis confirmed the Fire Department was working to secure additional facility 
space to add a 24‑hour medical response vehicle at Station 45. The station currently 
housed an engine company, an ambulance company, and a brush truck, and that the 
engine company was technical‑rescue capable. He stated that adding a 24‑hour 
medical response unit was expected to have a positive impact on service in the area. 
 
Councilman Waring asked whether staff could estimate the expected reduction in 
response times once the new medical response vehicle was added.  
 
Chief Kreis stated he did not recall the response-time estimates but could consult 
Technical Services and provide a follow-up. 
 
Councilman Waring inquired for an update on discussions with Mayo Clinic regarding 
the potential development of a new fire station on Mayo-owned property.

Chief Kreis reported the Fire Department was working with Community and Economic 
Development to pursue property in the area for the construction of Fire Station 71. 
 
Councilman Waring concluded by stating his support for this effort and expressed a 
desire to see the matter resolved before the end of his term, noting he had 
approximately one year remaining. 
 
7. Community Assistance Program (CAP) Expansion Implementation Report 
 
8. Police Hiring, Recruitment and Attrition Monthly Update 
 
CONSENT   
1. Animal Ordinance Update  
Councilman Waring made a motion to approve Item 1. Councilwoman O’Brien 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None 
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Dayana Rosas 
Management Fellow