To further deepen its long-standing promise to prioritize public safety, the Scottsdale City Council created a new Subcommittee on Community Safety, which held its inaugural meeting Sept. 25.

The purpose of the subcommittee is to examine policies, initiatives and enforcement strategies to strengthen public safety in Scottsdale. Their work is expected to center on policy and operational conversations focused on reducing community nuisances, improving neighborhood livability and ensuring a coordinated, proactive approach to keeping Scottsdale safe.

The three City Council representatives on the subcommittee are Vice Mayor Adam Kwasman and Council members Jan Dubauskas and Kathy Littlefield. City staff supporting the subcommittee include City Manager Greg Caton, Interim City Attorney Luis Santaella, and Police Chief Joe LeDuc.

Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas was unanimously elected as chair of the subcommittee. Members also voted to include the Scottsdale Fire Department, inviting Fire Chief Tom Shannon to participate in future meetings in accordance with the community safety mandate which created the subcommittee.

"The City Council takes community safety very seriously. We are committed to providing the very best public safety possible to Scottsdale residents," said Councilwoman Jan Dubauskas. "We have many important topics to explore moving forward, and we have the opportunity to include community as well, so we are excited to get started."

Future agenda topics will include presentations on community nuisances and enforcement strategies, crime and fire statistics, Police and Fire academy operations, and compensation strategies for sworn public safety staff and communication dispatchers. The preliminary discussions also explored the potential for Scottsdale to establish its own probation department and enhance prosecution efforts.

City Manager Greg Caton believes the subcommittee provides a helpful additional path for detailed discussions on key city issues before they move forward to full City Council discussion.

“Public safety is a foundational element for developing and maintaining a thriving community,” said Caton. “Because the subcommittee can focus its attention on this key area, I am looking forward to their discussions which will help the city advance its public safety initiatives.”

The subcommittee will meet next during the week of Nov. 10, with plans to hold semi-monthly meetings beginning in 2026.

To attend the next public hearing of the Council Subcommittee on Community Safety, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov, and search “council subcommittees.”