Public Safety Committee

City Council - Public Safety Committee Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT When: Mar 26, 2026 05:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: Public Safety Meeting Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://zoom.us/j/95881545017 Phone one-tap: +13052241968,,95881545017# US +13092053325,,95881545017# US Join via audio: +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 564 217 2000 US +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 689 278 1000 US +1 719 359 4580 US +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US Webinar ID: 958 8154 5017 International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/aHak1Tw0g 1. Adopt the Agenda 1.1. Motion to amend/adopt agenda 2. Adopt Minutes 2.1. Motion to adopt draft minutes from January 29, 2026 3. BFD Report (5 min) Subject 3.1. BFD High Level Report Page 1 of 26  Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 3. BFD Report (5 min) Department Type Recommended Action 4. Howard Center Report (15 min) Subject 4.1. Howard Center Report Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 4. Howard Center Report (15 min) Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 5. State's Attorney Data w/ Sarah George (30 min) Subject 5.1. Sarah George - Data, including Accountability Court Results Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 5. State's Attorney Data w/ Sarah George (30 min) Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 6. BPD Report (10 min) Subject 6.1. BPD High Level Report, March 11th Update Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 6. BPD Report (10 min) Department Police Department Type Recommended Action Page 2 of 26 7. Public Forum (Time Certain: 6:30 PM) Subject 7.1. Verbal Comments Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 7. Public Forum (Time Certain: 6:30 PM) Department Type 8. Adjournment Subject 8.1. Motion to adjourn Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 8. Adjournment Department Council and Board Type Recommended Action 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Subject 9.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. For more information on access, call Lori Olberg, Licensing, Voting and Records Coordinator (802-865-7136)(TTY 802-865-7142). Persons with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate are encouraged to contact 802-865-7000 (voice) or 802-865-7142 (TTY) at least 72 hours in advance so that proper arrangements can be made. The City of Burlington will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, crime victim status or genetic information. Meeting March 26, 2026 - Public Safety Committee Meeting Agenda - Thursday, March 26, 2026, 5:30 PM, Remote via Zoom OR In-person at Contois Auditorium, 2nd Floor City Hall, 149 Church St, Burlington, VT Category 9. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements Department Council and Board Type Page 3 of 26  Public Safety Committee Thursday, January 29, 2026 Remote via Zoom/In-Person in Queen City Room, 3rd Floor, City Hall, Burlington, Vermont DRAFT MINUTES Members Present: Melo Grant (Chair), Mark Barlow, Buddy Singh Staff Present: Hayley McClenahan (Assistant City Attorney), Troy Ruggles (BFD Deputy Chief of Operations) Marsha McCombie (Battalion Chief of EMS), Kyle Blake (BFD Captain), Shawn Burke (BPD Chief), Jeff Nicholson (Data Analyst) Public Present: Meeting called to order at 5:33 PM by Councilor Grant. 1. Adopt the Agenda 1.01 Adopt the Agenda Motion to Adopt Agenda as written. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Singh Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 2. Adopt Minutes 2.01 Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from November 20, 2025 Motion to Adopt Draft Minutes from November 20, 2025. Motion by Councilor Barlow, Seconded by Councilor Singh Final Resolution: Motion Passes Yes: Unanimous 3. Public Forum 3.01 Verbal Comments No speakers present. Public forum closed at 5:35 PM. 4. Chiefs’ Reports 4.01 BPD Chief Burke presented to the Committee on the latest incident and department data. No action was taken. 4.01.01 Policy re: ICE Page 1 of 2 Page 4 of 26 No action was taken. 4.02 BFD – Guest Marsha McCombie Battalion Chief of EMS Deputy Chief Ruggles shared the 2025 End-of-Year report with the Committee. Battalion Chief McCombie presented on EMS utilization trends. No action was taken. 5. State’s Attorney Data 5.01 State’s Attorney Data Councilor Grant noted State’s Attorney Sarah George is confirmed to attend the Committee’s February meeting and reviewed the most recent data from SA George. No action was taken. 6. Revisit 2020 Resolution 6.01 REIB Work Councilor Grant discussed the possibility of a future joint meeting between REIB Committee, Police Commission, and Public Safety Committee to review the resolution. No action was taken. 6.02 Joint Meeting w/ Police Commission No action was taken. 7. Trusted Community Voices Feedback 7.01 Trusted Community Voices Feedback Councilor Grant reviewed Trusted Community Voices’ presentation at a recent REIB Committee meeting. No action was taken. 8. Other Committee Business 8.01 Other Business No action was taken. 9. Next Meeting 9.01 Next Meeting The next meeting dates were set for February 26 and March 26. 10. Adjournment 10.01 Motion to adjourn The meeting was adjourned with no objection at 7:43 PM. Page 2 of 2 Page 5 of 26  BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 Chief’s Report to the Public Safety Committee: February Data Points March 26, 2026 Call Volume & Activity Summary: Total Incidents for the month of February: 833 Total Incidents: (As of 3/1/26) 1779 • Fire Incidents: 121 • EMS: 632 • Hazmat: 7 • Technical Rescue: 12 • Significant Incidents: 1. 2/1 - 1st Alarm Fire 309 S. Willard 2. 2/6 – Ice Rescue off Leddy Park Rd During the same period in 2025 we responded to 887 incidents, a 6% decrease from last year. Page 6 of 26 BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 Page 7 of 26  BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 EMS Data: The data show a steady rise in confirmed drug overdose incidents from 2021 through a peak period in 2023, followed by a general decline with continued volatility. Monthly events increased from single digits/low teens in 2021 to consistent highs in the 30–40 range by 2023, with a peak of 47 incidents in September 2023. Activity remained elevated but began to moderate through 2024, with another spike in mid-2024 (38 events in August). In 2025, the pattern became more erratic, including a high of 40 events in October, before dropping sharply into early 2026, where February shows 12 incidents. Overall, the trend suggests a surge through 2023, stabilization in 2024, and a potential downward shift entering 2026, though with ongoing fluctuations. This chart shows monthly trends (2021–early 2026) in confirmed overdose and drug-related EMS incidents, broken down by substance type. Opiates (e.g., heroin) consistently account for the highest volume and show periodic spikes, including several significant surges in 2023–2025. “Other illicit drugs/misuse of medications” is the second most common category, also fluctuating but at lower levels. All other categories—psychoactive drugs, alcohol-related effects, intentional medication overdoses, and cocaine—occur at relatively low and consistent levels with occasional small spikes. Overall, the data highlights that opioid-related incidents remain the dominant of overdose calls. Page 8 of 26  BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 This chart shows the number of BFD calls that were dispatched as overdoses each month, compared to how many were actually confirmed as overdoses once crews arrived on scene. While the total number of overdose- dispatched calls rises and falls over time, only a portion of those calls are ultimately confirmed by responders. In most months, confirmed overdoses make up roughly 20–40% of the total, with some variation CRT Data for February 2026: Staffed 8 days for the month of February Total Contacts Narcan Kits Wound Care Comfort Care Referrals Kits Kit 12 0 0 0 0 Page 9 of 26 BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 Page 10 of 26  BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 Personnel & Staffing -Lt. Phil Luedee of Engine Co. 3 retired after 25 years of service to the city on 2/11/26. We wish him the best of luck in retirement. -Ryan Fitzpatrick was promoted to Lieutenant and will serve as a cover officer on B-Shift. Total Department Staff: Uniformed Members 89 / Authorized 95 • Minimum Daily Staffing: 22 • Vacancies: 6 • Injuries/LOA/FMLA: 8 • Staff Training Hours: 956 • Company Level Inspections: 1 • Preplans Completed: 54 Overtime Type 2025 Hours 2026 Hours %+- Minimum Staffing 1002.5 1105 +10.2% Mandatory 105.5 183 +73.4% CRT 211 212 +.4% Emergency 0 0 - Extra Duty Events 30 14.5 -51.6% Page 11 of 26  BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT 136 S. Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401 Phone: (802) 864-4554 Fax: (802) 865-5387 Community Engagement • 2/9 Ladder Co. 4 Station Tour Social Media: Page 12 of 26  Street Outreach FY26 Q2 Report Program Description The Outreach Program is a collaboration between Howard Center, City of Burlington, Burlington Police Department, Vermont Department of Mental Health, and the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) to support vulnerable individuals in the community. The program offers responsive community-based support to individuals who are struggling with mental health, substance use, housing and other unmet social service needs. The teams can be dispatched by police and accept referrals from service providers, municipal employees, family members and community members. Community Partners City of Burlington, Burlington Police Department, Fletcher Free Library, Vermont Department of Mental Health, University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC). Key Performance Indicators • Calls for Service • Police Diverted • Follow up • Engagement Report Summary Key metrics and findings: Services per individual: On average, the team provided more than two services to each person they served (622 services/251 individuals served = 2.5 services per individual). This suggests a pattern of repeated engagement with clients over the quarter. Reach: The team engaged with 251 individuals, which serves as a baseline figure for the program's overall reach within the community during this quarter. Page 13 of 26 Service distribution by type: In-person: 445 services, or about 72% of the total, were provided face-to-face. Direct communication: 79 services, or roughly 12.7% of the total, involved direct communication with clients (e.g., phone calls). Collaboration/Consultation: 94 services, accounting for approximately 15.1% of the total, involved working with other providers or coordinating care for a client. Police Initiated: 138 services, or about 22.2% of the total, were in response to a police request or referral. Co-responses: 67 of the services provided, or about 10% were calls for service that police officers and community outreach responded to together. Police Diverted: 75 services, or 12% of the total calls for service were dispatched directly to the outreach team. Potential conclusions and interpretation Balanced approach: The team uses a mix of direct, face-to-face interaction, and coordination-focused services. The high number of in-person services indicates that direct client engagement remains a core component of their strategy. Emphasis on face-to-face: The number of in person services is a high proportion of the total. This suggests the team is actively working to be responsive and engage clients where they are to provide holistic support, which is a common and effective community outreach strategy. High engagement rate: Since individuals received an average of more than two services, the program appears to have a strong retention rate. This could suggest that the services provided are beneficial and that individuals are engaging for additional support. Calls for service: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Total # of Services 758 622 Total # of Clients with Services 273 251 # of In-Person Services 621 445 # of Clients with In-Person Services 230 199 # of Services that were Communication with Clients 44 79 # of Clients with Services that were Communication 31 49 # of Comm/Consult/Collaboration Services 87 94 # of Clients with Comm/Consult/Collaboration Services 66 68 Total # of Follow-Up Services 6 25 Total # of Clients with Follow-Up Services 6 25 25 Page 14 of 26  Calls for Service 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0 FY26 Q1 FY26 Q2 In-Person Phone CCC Follow-Up Call for service initiated by: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Individual/Client 191 140 Family Member 21 21 Municipal Employee 29 21 Police 160 138 Community Member 113 59 FCCC 12 14 Outreach Staff 168 152 Service provider Total 64 75 Service Provider: UVMMC/Affiliate 7 5 Service Provider: Howard Center (not FCCC) 20 21 Other 36 49 Police: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Involved Co-Response 76 67 Divert - PD Dispatched to Outreach Team 92 75 Page 15 of 26  Calls for Service by Primary Concern 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 FY26 Q1 FY26 Q2 Mental Health Substance Use Suicide/NSSI Homeless:Sheltered Homeless:Unsheltered Dom/Rel Accessing Services Post-Vention Welfare Checks Calls for service with primary concern related to: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Total Mental health 283 260 # of clients 128 126 Substance use 121 63 # of clients 66 35 Suicide or non-suicidal self-injury 22 20 # of clients 17 17 Housing/homelessness 146 125 # of clients 77 60 Housing/homelessness: Sheltered 11 9 # of clients 11 9 Housing/homelessness: Unsheltered 133 113 # of clients 65 50 Domestic /relational conflict 51 53 # of clients 37 39 Accessing Services 67 56 # of clients 42 34 Post-Vention 1 1 # of clients 1 1 Welfare Check 67 41 # of clients 46 34 Page 16 of 26 Outcomes: Disposition: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Tota l Completed 615 517 Referral 19 39 Inconclusive 95 49 ED Visit: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Tota l Medical Care 7 4 Psychiatric Care 8 7 Both 12 6 Total 27 17 Page 17 of 26 Status Update: February 6, 2026 Community Accountability Court Page 18 of 26  Active and Resolved Dockets AC TOTAL DOCKET DATA TOTAL RESOLVED DATE TOTAL ACTIVE DOCKETS DOCKETS TOTAL DOCKETS DOCKETS 10/20/25 878 0 878 DOCKETS 11/25/25 685 174 859 DOCKETS 12/02/25 646 218 864 ‘Resolved’ column represents DOCKETS 12/09/25 556 290 846 individuals incarcerated, placed DOCKETS 12/16/25 500 328 828 on probation, ruled incompetent DOCKETS 12/23/25 528 375 903 to stand trial, released on order of non-hospitalization, assigned DOCKETS 01/14/26 385 529 914 to treatment court, assigned to DOCKETS 01/21/26 377 561 930 ACS, deceased, or having their DOCKETS 01/27/26 363 572 935 case dismissed. DOCKETS 02/06/26 270 702 972 Page 19 of 26  Docket Progression Active vs Resolved Docket over time 1000 878 900 800 702 685 700 646 600 561 572 556 528 529 500 500 375 385 377 400 363 328 290 300 270 218 174 200 100 0 0 DOCKETS 10/20/25 DOCKETS 11/25/25 DOCKETS 12/02/25 DOCKETS 12/09/25 DOCKETS 12/16/25 DOCKETS 12/23/25 DOCKETS 01/14/26 DOCKETS 01/21/26 DOCKETS 01/27/26 DOCKETS 02/06/26 TOTAL ACTIVE DOCKETS TOTAL RESOLVED DOCKETS NOTE: Data from 12/24–01/06 was not captured. However, using the average rate of change from the prior six weeks (72.5 dockets resolved per week), the 01/14 data aligns closely with the model. This suggests the two-week gap likely followed a normal pattern of change. Page 20 of 26 Status Progress on Involved Individuals AC BASIC OFFENDER PROGRESSION DATA OFFENDER STATUS 10/20/2025. 11/25/2025. 12/2/2025. 12/9/2025. 12/16/2025. 12/23/2025. 1/14/2026. 1/21/2026. 1/27/2026. 2/06/2026. ACTIVE (COMMUNITY) 47 30 26 20 23 22 27 25 25 20 WARRANT ISSUED 27 25 26 26 20 22 22 21 20 18 ACTIVE (HELD) 29 26 26 22 20 20 10 10 13 8 RESOLVED 0 21 25 36 40 43 60 64 66 79 TOTAL 103 102 103 104 103 107 119 120 124 125 Page 21 of 26 Individual Offender Progression Individual Offender by Status Over Time 90 79 80 70 66 64 60 60 50 47 43 40 40 36 29 30 30 27 27 25 26 26 26 26 25 26 25 25 22 23 22 22 22 21 20 20 20 20 21 20 20 20 18 13 10 10 10 8 0 0 10/20/2025. 11/25/2025. 12/2/2025. 12/9/2025. 12/16/2025. 12/23/2025. 1/14/2026. 1/21/2026. 1/27/2026. 2/06/2026. ACTIVE (COMMUNITY) WARRANT ISSUED ACTIVE (HELD) RESOLVED Page 22 of 26  Status Progress on Individual Dockets AC BASIC DOCKET PROGRESSION DATA OFFENDER STATUS 10/20/2025. 11/25/2025. 12/2/2025. 12/9/2025. 12/16/2025. 12/23/2025. 1/14/2026. 1/21/2026. 1/27/2026 2/6/2026 ACTIVE (COMMUNITY) 383 241 197 130 147 147 71 89 75 68 WARRANT ISSUED 267 245 250 267 211 234 219 184 181 148 ACTIVE (HELD) 228 199 199 159 142 147 95 104 107 54 RESOLVED 0 174 218 290 328 375 529 561 572 702 TOTAL 878 859 864 846 828 903 914 930 935 972 Page 23 of 26 Individual Docket Progression Docket Progression by Status 800 702 700 600 561 572 529 500 400 383 375 328 290 300 267 267 241 245 250 228 234 218 211 219 199 197 199 200 174 184 181 159 147 147 147 148 130 142 95 104 107 89 100 71 75 68 54 0 0 10/20/2025. 11/25/2025. 12/2/2025. 12/9/2025. 12/16/2025. 12/23/2025. 1/14/2026. 1/21/2026. 1/27/2026 2/6/2026 ACTIVE (COMMUNITY) WARRANT ISSUED ACTIVE (HELD) RESOLVED Page 24 of 26 Case Outcome Assignments CASE OUTCOME PER INDIVIDUAL Probation and ACS Program, 1 Deceased, 1 ONH, 3 Probation (Deferred), 2 Not Competent, 4 Prison, 22 ACS Program, 3 Dismissed , 10 Split to Serve, 8 Probation, 17 Probation Tx Ct, 8 Page 25 of 26 Outcome Assignment by Docket OUTCOME ASSIGNMENT BY DOCKET Probation and ACS Program, 5 Deceased, 5 ONH, 25 ACS Program, 16 Probation (Deferred), 22 Prison, 192 Not Competent, 43 Dismissed , 92 Split to Serve, 66 Probation Tx Ct, 99 Probation, 137 Page 26 of 26