Dayton City Commission Work Session 6-10-26

The Dayton City Commission held a work session on June 10, 2026, focusing primarily on public safety, crime trends, and police staffing strategies. Chief Henderson presented detailed data on citizen-generated calls for service, patrol staffing models, and crime statistics, highlighting increases in certain violent crimes and the challenges of balancing reactive and proactive policing. The discussion included the impact of recent police staffing changes, the deployment of officers across districts, and the use of technology such as license plate readers and potential ShotSpotter systems. The department also addressed new responsibilities like investigating animal cruelty and ongoing efforts to reduce traffic fatalities through enforcement and traffic calming measures. Commissioners inquired about clearance rates, community engagement strategies, and legislative priorities, particularly regarding firearm regulations and support for domestic violence victims. The session emphasized data-driven crime reduction strategies, partnerships with community organizations, and the need for continued evaluation of staffing and resource allocation to improve public safety outcomes.