Winston-Salem Public Safety Committee Meeting – September 8, 2025

The Public Safety Committee of the City of Winston-Salem met on Monday, September 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Chair Annette Scippio called the meeting to order with members Regina Hall, Vivían V. Joiner, and Scott Andree-Bowen present, joined by Mayor Pro Tempore Denise Adams. The committee approved the consent agenda, received informational updates on police and fire initiatives, and voted to recommend weight limitations on Jonestown Road. The meeting adjourned at 3:10 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes – The committee unanimously approved the summary of minutes from the August 11, 2025 Public Safety Committee meeting. Motion by Council Member Hall, seconded by Council Member Joiner; carried 4-0.

Discussion Items

• G-1. Ordinance Amending Section 42-97 – Weight Limitations on Jonestown Road (Southwest Ward) – Reid Hutchins, Transportation Operations Manager, presented a proposal to restrict through traffic for vehicles over 13,000 pounds on Jonestown Road between Kester Mill Road and Stratford Road, addressing cut-through tractor-trailer use on a residential street. Council members discussed enforcement challenges, including signage, police enforcement, and the need for stronger fines for oversized vehicles parking in residential neighborhoods. Jeff (city staff) noted existing ordinance gaps regarding fines and committed to reviewing policy recommendations. The committee voted unanimously to recommend approval to the City Council (scheduled for October 6, 2025). Motion by Council Member Andree-Bowen, seconded by Council Member Joiner; carried 4-0.
• G-2. Officer Luke Alderman Named Finalist for 2024 IACP Officer of the Year – Chief William Penn, Jr. announced that Officer Alderman is one of four worldwide finalists for the International Association of Chiefs of Police Officer of the Year award, based on his actions saving a child during a shooting on November 17, 2024. The committee congratulated Officer Alderman and recognized the department’s excellence. No vote required.
• G-3. Grant Awarded for Officer Performance and Wellness Initiatives – Assistant Chief Christopher Diamont reported a one-time $50,000 grant from the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police to fund a software system (Essential Personnel) that will monitor officer wellness and trauma exposure for sworn and professional staff. The software includes early warnings for cumulative traumatic incidents. Council Member Hall asked about family support resources; Assistant Chief Diamont noted existing EAP and peer support programs. Information only.
• G-4. Winston-Salem Wellness Advocate Program Update – Kendra Buick, the department’s Wellness Advocate, provided an update since her hiring in late April 2025. Highlights included: a needs assessment survey (62 respondents), 28 one-on-one staff consultations, a healthy food delivery service (average 49 units/week), small group functional strength training, therapy dog visits (Triads Love on a Leash), and planned partnerships (nutrition, chiropractic, and women’s wellness workshops). Future plans include a wellness app and expanded outreach to night shifts and retirees. Council members encouraged continued growth and discussed financial wellness as a priority. Information only.
• G-5. Transition to Black-and-White Color Scheme for Patrol Vehicles – Assistant Chief Diamont presented a mock-up of the new Ford Explorer patrol vehicle design. The black-and-white scheme is more recognizable, costs approximately $200 less per vehicle to stripe, and was selected by nearly 70% of sworn officers in a survey (over 200 participants). The first vehicles will appear within two weeks; roughly 100–120 of the 300 marked fleet are expected to be converted within three to five budget cycles. All new vehicles will be Ford Explorers; the design does not apply to unmarked cars. Information only.
• G-6. Insurance Services Office (ISO) Rating Report – Fire Chief Mayo reported that the Winston-Salem Fire Department has achieved a Public Protection Classification of Class 1—the highest possible rating—effective December 1, 2025. The classification is based on a raw score improvement of nearly 12 points from 2019, driven by better deployment analysis, training documentation, and a hydraulic water system model. The department is among approximately 125–150 of 33,000 U.S. fire departments that are both ISO Class 1 and accredited. Chief Mayo noted that staffing remains an area for improvement (points lost since 2019), and that property owners should contact their insurers to realize potential premium reductions of 3–5%. Council members praised the achievement and discussed communication and pay study needs.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously (4-0).
• G-1 motion to recommend approval to City Council carried (4-0).
• All other agenda items were informational; no votes taken.
• Council Member Andree-Bowen requested that the current firefighter pay scale be shared with the council in advance of an upcoming pay study.
• The meeting was adjourned at 3:10 PM.