Public Safety Meeting - August 10, 2026

The City of Winston-Salem Public Safety Committee met on August 10, 2026, to discuss several public safety initiatives and grant-funded programs. The committee approved three consent agenda items related to the North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program, including grants for speed enforcement, a motorcycle safety initiative, and a DWI task force with a budget allocation of $64,125 for officer salaries. The meeting also covered operational updates from the fire department, including a pilot program using smaller squads to improve EMS response times and fire apparatus availability, with discussions about funding and potential expansion. The police department reported on crime trends, juvenile curfew ordinance impacts, and firearm seizures, noting ongoing challenges with gun storage due to state laws. The committee also discussed mental health support for first responders and the potential for a wellness center modeled after one in Louisville, Kentucky. No new contracts or procurement actions were announced, but the meeting included budget considerations and grant approvals relevant to public safety operations.