The police department was a topic of conversation for the Stuart City Council this week, though their special meeting was scheduled prior to the officer-involved shooting that occurred on October 17th.

The meeting was held for a resolution to ratify the use of a preliminary official statement for the sale of annual appropriation corporate purpose bonds, which was approved. The Council then discussed the safety of the police department and the Summit Street apartments where the shooting and other criminal activity has occurred. Mayor Dick Cook says the Council approved the purchase of three new radios for the three full-time officers. Only two officers are currently on duty as Officer Tyler DeFrancisco is on administrative leave per the shooting investigation. Cook says this many officers are not enough to cover the City’s growing population and close proximity to Interstate 80, “At one time we had four officers, then we dropped down to three officers but they’re splitting the fourth officer’s salary. But at this point the city attorney, the police officers, (and) myself said it’s too many hours for them to be covering. We’ve just got too many issues going on in the town of Stuart and I’d like to go ahead and see if we can get back with four officers with a better wage to compete with the counties.”

Cook says a committee of two Council members, City Administrator Ashraf Ashour, and himself is meeting this week to discuss the department’s budget and how they can potentially hire a fourth full-time officer. He adds, the City is also working with the apartment complex on security measures including a stronger screening process for tenants, and better exterior lighting.