SPD says nonfatal shooting responses and clearances improved; council seeks cost details

Chief Henry updated the council on the department's nonfatal shooting unit, citing sharp declines since program inception and improving clearance rates. "Just to remind you, in 2022, we had 193 people here shot with nonfatal rounds. That was down to, 71 or 72 last year," Henry said, noting the department is on pace for about 81 this year. He reported charging/clearance rates that have been rising and suggested the unit's work has driven measurable benefits.

Council President Naker and others asked what happens to those positions when one-time public-safety aid expires. Henry said the department does not plan to disband the unit because of its success, but warned they may have to shrink the unit or limit the types of calls it will handle if funding is reduced. Council members requested a program-level cost accounting to weigh the unit's outcomes against ongoing personnel and overtime tradeoffs.

The department agreed to provide the unit's budget, staffing and cost figures and to identify which positions are currently paid from one-time funds and which would need a new funding source to continue at current capacity.