Patch Question: Does the City Need a Public Safety Commission?

After a number of fatal accidents in recent years in Long Beach, as well as the establishment of a city-wide bike rental-sharing program that will start this year — not to mention a few vocal residents who have turned traffic safety into their pet cause — the new Democrat administration at Long Beach City Hall has created a Public Safety Commission.

According to a resolution the City Council approved on Feb. 21, the Public Safety Commission will consist of eight members — six residents and two city employees — who will serve two-year unpaid terms, meet once a month and make recommendations to the council and city manager, who will appoint its members and chairman. The resolution reads:

“The objective of the Public Safety Commission is to establish a dialogue between citizens and employees of the city in order to create more awareness about safety concerns within our city.”

The commission’s recommendations would pertain to matters with the police and fire departments, emergency medical services, animal control, emergency preparedness, pedestrian safety and “such other matters as directed by the City Council,” according to the resolution.

City Manager Jack Schnirman said the commission is open to all. “[I]f anyone is interested in joining this particular commission, or ultimately any commission, we’re going to be advertising and soliciting folks who express interest via the city’s website,” he said at Tuesday’s meeting.

What are your thoughts on the city establishing a Public Safety Commission in Long Beach? Let us know in the comments below.