Palm Springs Police Department hosting Neighborhood Town Hall meetings this week

The Palm Springs Police Department is hosting a series of Neighborhood Town Hall Meetings this week.

 Around seventy residents and business owners came out to the Neighborhood Town Hall in what the Palm Springs police department calls the north district of Palm Springs. 

Residents, business owners, and community stakeholders came face to face with the progress the Palm Springs police department has made over the years at a neighborhood town hall series.

David Rios owns Velvet Rope and has been a resident since 2012. He says he is pleased with how the community has shifted positively. "I like how we're working as a team," says Rios.

Palm Springs police chief Andy Mills elaborates on some data, especially regarding homelessness. "We did Operation Relentless Sun, and we were able to help people reunite with their families, help some people get housed, and arrest over 600 people," says Mills. 

In the past 18 months, the department has seized more than 250 guns from people who did not possess those guns lawfully. Rios says the efforts the police have made make him feel safe. "We want to understand the community. We want to understand their values and keep everyone safe, from the kids to the elderly.

The department representatives passed out color-coded stickies where attendees could place their concerns on the board. The goal is to understand the people's policing priorities for the next two years.

They divided crime choices into five sections: quality of life, nuisance, traffic, property, and violent crime. "Respect is a two-way street," says Mills. "And we really want to make sure that the community understands how much we respect this community we serve at their pleasure."

These meetings allow the community to engage in conversations with the police department about public safety in Palm Springs.

Police provide a progress update for residents, business owners, and community stakeholders.

The goal is that the community and the police department can set expectations for the next two years.

"We go to our community and want to know their priorities for policing," said Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills.

The Palm Springs Police Department also wants to put solutions in place.

"It's a unified effort between the community and police," said Chief Mills. "What residents need is for us to solve problems and to look at things from their perspective, not just necessarily ours."

Some current concerns from residents in Palm Springs are home burglaries, road safety, theft, gun violence, and homelessness.

"We want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to look out for one another," said Chief Mills. "If you see something, say something. Give us a call."

There are four meetings throughout this week:

• NORTH DISTRICT: Monday, February 26th, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Raymond Cree Middle School Cafeteria, 1011 E. Vista Chino
• BUSINESS DISTRICT: Tuesday, February 27th, 11:00 a.m. to noon, Convention Center East Lawn, 277 N. Avenida Caballeros
• CENTRAL DISTRICT: Wednesday, February 28th, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Hilton, Tapestry Room, 400 E Tahquitz Way
• SOUTH DISTRICT: Thursday, February 29th, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., Indian Canyons Golf Resort South Clubhouse, 1097 E. Murray Canyon

All residents are welcome to engage in any of the meetings.