City Council Workshop | February 12, 2026

The City Council of Savannah held a workshop on February 12, 2026, focusing primarily on public safety and community event management, particularly the upcoming St. Patrick's Day celebration. The discussion included detailed planning for public safety measures involving local, state, and federal partners, with emphasis on crowd control, alcohol regulations, vendor licensing, and enhanced enforcement through city marshals and police. The council also addressed procurement and contracting for event logistics, including barricades, lighting, portable restrooms, and food truck allocations, prioritizing local businesses and proposing ordinance changes to codify these preferences. Additionally, the Savannah Fire Department and Police Department presented annual updates highlighting crime statistics, response times, recruitment and retention efforts, community engagement programs like the Police Athletic League and Savannah Impact Program, and investments in technology and infrastructure to improve public safety. The meeting underscored ongoing challenges such as gun violence, staffing shortages, and community relations, with commitments to transparency, accountability, and strategic improvements in emergency response and crime prevention.