East Arizona News

The City of Scottsdale and its Police Department are reaching out to the public for input on proposed changes to the Public Safety Plan Ordinance. The ordinance, outlined in the Scottsdale Revised Code, Chapter 23, ARTICLE IV, governs the requirements and guidelines for businesses to ensure public safety within their establishments.

One of the key highlights of the proposed changes is the addition of a definition for significant bodily injury. This amendment aims to provide a clearer understanding of the type of injuries that fall under this category, helping businesses better address potential risks and ensure the safety of their patrons.

Another significant update pertains to the requirements for submitting a public safety plan. Currently, businesses are required to provide information such as hours of operation, crowd management strategies, floor plans, employee lists, and evacuation routes. The proposed changes introduce additional requirements, including a line management plan and the need to disclose the locations of surveillance equipment and data storage.

Scottsdale Police has identified security uniforms as a potential public safety challenge. Unmarked or poorly marked security personnel can lead to confusion and potentially escalate physical altercations. To address this issue, the proposed changes include updates to the acceptable attire for security personnel. Only those who are properly dressed will be authorized to act as security personnel, with certain exceptions for management personnel and door staff.

In an effort to enhance accountability and the preservation of evidence, the proposed changes introduce a provision regarding the failure to preserve evidence of a potential public safety incident. Under this provision, all businesses required to have a public safety plan will be required to preserve any and all evidence related to such incidents for a period of 30 days.

To gather public input on these proposed changes, the Scottsdale Police Department is inviting comments from the community. Public comments can be submitted via email to [email protected] or by phone at 480-312-1910. However, telephone comments will be limited to five minutes per person.

It is important to note that all public comments must be submitted by May 2, 2022, to be considered during the review process.

This opportunity for public comment underscores the City of Scottsdale and its Police Department's commitment to transparency and community engagement. By seeking input from the public, they aim to ensure that the proposed changes to the Public Safety Plan Ordinance are comprehensive and aligned with the needs and expectations of the community.

As stated by the Scottsdale Police Department, "We value the input of our community members and believe that their perspectives are vital in shaping these changes to the Public Safety Plan Ordinance. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to provide their feedback and help us enhance public safety in Scottsdale."

To review the proposed changes in detail, interested individuals can access the PDF document available on the Scottsdale Police Department's website.

The Scottsdale Police Department is looking forward to receiving valuable input from the public and working collaboratively to strengthen the Public Safety Plan Ordinance for the benefit of all residents and visitors to the city.