Crestwood Public Safety Board Meeting – July 28, 2025

The Crestwood Public Safety Board met on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Crestwood Government Center. The meeting included public comments on two topics, reports from the Fire and Police Chiefs, and discussion and votes on an invasion of privacy ordinance and a traffic calming policy amendment. Key actions included unanimous rejection of the invasion of privacy ordinance as written and approval of the traffic calming policy amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from the March 24, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Invasion of Privacy Ordinance: Mary Lee Sauer (9306 Queenston Drive) and her husband Devin Sauer testified in strong support of the amended ordinance (Section 16-65) introduced by Alderman Maby. They described a 15‑month ordeal with a neighbor’s 24‑7 audio and 360‑degree pan‑tilt‑zoom camera installed 12 feet high on the back corner of the neighbor’s home, which they said follows them throughout their yard and records private conversations. They argued the ordinance is a reasonable restriction to protect constitutional privacy rights and that enforcement would be simple. Devin Sauer stated that a civil lawsuit would be the only alternative, clogging courts, and urged the board to support the ordinance.
• Traffic Calming Policy: Jerry Harris (926 Leewood Drive) expressed concern that current traffic calming procedures rely solely on speed data without adequate consideration of engineering factors such as slope, sight lines, and parking. He requested a more comprehensive evaluation. James Hahn (904 Leewood Drive) commented that the policy should clarify which residents are entitled to weigh in on intersection projects, suggesting a defined scope of impact.

Reports & Communication

• Fire Chief’s Report: Chief Leo Meyer reported that EMS responses have increased. A new hire will start August 7, bringing the department to full staffing. Fire marshal inspections and plan reviews have risen. The department is exploring sending an engine on certain medical calls to improve response times.
• Police Chief’s Report: Chief Jonathan Williams noted that second‑quarter 2025 crime numbers remain consistent, with a significant increase in stealing (shoplifting) and traffic accidents due to more businesses and construction on Watson Road. An experienced officer, John Polster, was hired and starts August 11. The Liggett Traffic Calming project was approved by the Board of Aldermen; speed humps will be installed soon, and mini‑roundabout landscaping design is in progress. Crestwood Night Out is scheduled for September 13. The police department’s new Mustang is striped but awaiting lights; a car‑cover project is delayed due to a vendor’s tornado damage and sizing concerns, with a change order coming to the Board in August. Alderman Zavith’s report mentioned golf carts in Whitecliffe Park (turned down), a completed bridge, community center reconstruction, Southington House foundation dug, and acquisition of flood‑prone homes used for police training.

Discussion Items

• Invasion of Privacy Ordinance (16‑65): The board discussed the proposed amendment that would make it a violation to use security cameras to record audio or video on a neighbor’s property without consent. Police Chief Williams outlined three challenges: no state or federal law prohibits home security cameras, limited expectation of privacy in dense residential areas, and difficulty of investigation—obtaining a search warrant for camera footage would be nearly impossible without a state statute backing. He suggested the matter might be better handled as a housing code enforcement issue rather than a criminal ordinance, with specific rules on camera placement, height, and audio recording. Board members agreed the current language was too vague and unenforceable. After a roll‑call vote, all six members present voted no on recommending the ordinance as written. The board then unanimously approved a motion to refer the matter to the Planning and Zoning Commission for further study as a code enforcement violation.
• Traffic Calming Policy Amendment: The board considered an amendment to Section 10‑2 of the municipal code to expand the definition of “residents directly affected” beyond the street where traffic calming is proposed, to include nearby residences, driveways, or those identified by city staff. The change was described as a learning‑from‑experience update to allow flexibility. Board members asked about engineering analysis; staff noted the design was based on work from a certified traffic safety officer and a former civil engineer, and that a demonstration project proved its effectiveness. The board unanimously approved the amendment.

Key Outcomes

• Invasion of Privacy Ordinance: The board voted 6‑0 (with one member excused) to not recommend the ordinance as written. A separate motion to refer the issue to Planning and Zoning for consideration as a housing code enforcement matter passed unanimously.
• Traffic Calming Policy: The board unanimously approved the amendment to Section 10‑2, updating the definition of “residents directly affected” to allow inclusion of properties beyond the immediate street. The amendment will be forwarded to the Board of Aldermen for final adoption.