A significant portion of the meeting’s discourse centered on the need for improved safety at Port Orange schools, particularly Sugar Mill Elementary, where recent accidents have heightened concerns among parents and residents. Community members came forward with emotional testimonies, calling for more visible police presence to manage traffic and safeguard students. Audie Brooks, a parent, spoke of her daughter’s trauma after witnessing a vehicle-related incident, urging immediate preventative action. Aaron Warwick, another concerned parent, regretted not pushing for safety measures sooner and emphasized the importance of having a traffic officer at the school entrance.

The council members addressed the community’s appeals, acknowledging the communication challenges between government entities and the need for expert advice. Discussions about the responsibilities and capacities of CSOs unfolded, considering their role in traffic management and the possibility of expanding their duties to school crossings. With only three CSOs currently in the department, the council pondered additional recruitment, particularly targeting retired law enforcement officers to bolster the ranks.

The conversation also touched on the historical aspect of traffic issues at schools, where previous efforts by the police department were highlighted. The council recognized the ongoing struggle with congestion and the accidents involving students, underlining the imperative nature of parental responsibility and suggesting carpooling as a potential solution to reduce traffic volume.

Moreover, safety improvement projects of the past decade, totaling approximately $1.5 million, were reviewed. However, the decline in Volunteer in Policing (VIP) program membership, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact, raised concerns about the program’s capacity to continue assisting with traffic control duties.

While the meeting addressed infrastructure projects, including sidewalk repairs and road maintenance, the urgent tone was reserved for the discussions on school safety. Public comments extended beyond school zones, with the president of a veteran and first responder nonprofit organization speaking on mental health and PTSD awareness, and the Chamber of Commerce promoting public events. A resident’s concerns about the city’s tax-free status and the perception of it as a subsidy were also voiced.