Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Surprise public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
11 issues in public safety
Emergency Services Backup Agreement
Surprise and Peoria are teaming up to back each other up on 911 calls. Basically, if one city's dispatch center gets slammed or goes down, the other city's crew instantly picks up the slack.
Project 24-7 Suicide Prevention App
A presentation on Project 24-7, a mobile app that connects veterans and residents in crisis with trusted peers ("battle buddies") and hotlines while offering daily mood tracking.
Return-to-Work Retiree Evaluation
The board evaluated a returning retiree from the Corrections Officers Retirement Plan who is joining the police department as a recruit, clarifying how his service and contributions will be handled.
Open Meeting Law and Ethics Compliance Training
The commission received compliance training from the city attorney's office regarding open meeting rules, serial meetings, conflict of interest disclosures, and gift limits.
Public Safety Master Plan & Departmental Strain
Police leadership reviewed their strategic plan, highlighting innovative recruitment methods like the SPEED program, expanded officer wellness and mental health support, and dedicated school resource officer partnerships across local schools.
Brain Injury Awareness and Support Services
Luke Fadell from the Brain Injury Association of Arizona shared vital resources, support groups, and new diagnostic technologies available for brain injury survivors and veterans in Surprise.
Youth Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Prevention Services
Representatives from Not My Kid outlined their school and community-based programs addressing vaping, mental health, substance use, and family communication for Surprise youth.
Discontinuation of Public Meeting Broadcasts
The retirement commission decided to stop recording and broadcasting its meetings online, reverting to pre-COVID practices to save city communication resources.
Firefighter Pension System Recruits Acceptance
The fire pension board approved a new recruit into the PSPRS system and cleared a retired battalion chief to return to work in a non-sworn supervisory role without pension penalties.
Accidental Disability Retirement Application
The board initiated an independent medical examination for a former firefighter applying for accidental disability retirement.
Landfill Fire
A massive fire just broke out at the Surprise landfill and could keep burning for days, meaning gross air quality and potential disruptions to your trash pickup. If you live nearby, definitely keep an eye on local alerts so you don't breathe in too much smoke.