LIVE @ Public Safety Committee (PSC) Meeting 7/23/18

Public Safety Committee Meeting Recap: July 23, 2018 – Focusing on Community EMT Pilot and Addressing Community Concerns

On July 23, 2018, the Public Safety Committee (PSC) convened to discuss a proposed Community EMT pilot program aimed at enhancing public safety in downtown South Slope and connecting vulnerable residents with vital resources. The meeting also featured a significant period of public comment addressing broader concerns about city leadership and potential surveillance practices. Several committee members, Fire Chief Chris Matinske, and a number of community members were in attendance.

The primary focus of the meeting was an update on the Community EMT pilot program, a collaborative initiative between the National Fire Department and other city departments. Chief Matinske outlined the program's goals: improving patient outcomes, gathering data for fire safety inspections, bolstering public safety in the downtown/South Slope area, and collecting valuable information to inform future strategies. The program will utilize bike teams to respond to high-priority calls and connect individuals with community resources, with an anticipated launch in early August. While the specific hours of operation are still being determined, the pilot will explore flexible schedules to optimize effectiveness. A key discussion point revolved around interdepartmental coordination, with the city planning to establish feedback loops involving 12 different groups to evaluate the program's impact and adapt accordingly. The committee also explored how this new initiative will work alongside the Asheville Police Department (APD), particularly regarding situations beyond the EMTs’ scope of practice.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment, with Darufia Goodman Williams delivering a powerful and lengthy statement. Ms. Williams voiced deep concerns about potential surveillance of activists, specifically mentioning Black Lives Matter and her daughter, alleging a history of mistrust with the police chief and city council. She accused the city of racial profiling and criticized what she perceived as a lack of progress on issues facing the Black community, vowing to work towards removing the current police chief. Her comments highlighted a significant disconnect between city leadership and some residents, raising serious questions about trust and transparency. While committee members did not directly respond to Ms. Williams’s comments during the meeting, it is expected that these concerns will be addressed separately by city leadership.

Key Outcomes & What's Next:

• No Formal Votes: The meeting primarily served as an information-sharing and discussion forum, so no formal votes were taken.
• Pilot Program Moving Forward: The city will continue purchasing equipment for the bike teams and finalizing operational details, including data collection protocols.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: The city will continue working with various stakeholders to identify resources for vulnerable populations and refine how those connections are made.
• Data Sharing Considerations: Discussions will continue regarding what data can be shared with the Asheville Police Department, guided by the homeless coordinator.
• Launch Anticipated: The pilot program is currently slated to launch in early August, allowing the city to test and refine its approach.

Why This Matters: The Community EMT pilot program represents a proactive effort to improve public safety and access to care in downtown South Slope. However, the meeting underscored a critical need for improved communication and trust between city government and some residents, particularly within the Black community. Addressing these concerns will be essential to ensuring the pilot program's success and fostering a more inclusive and equitable city for all. Residents can expect to see the bike teams in action soon, and ongoing evaluation will be crucial to determining the program's long-term viability.