166su

Since Jan. 1, 166su has recorded two homicides. At least one of those, which killed 27-year-old Uhura Willis Feb. 17, was gun-related.

As of Tuesday, seven other people have been shot but not killed in aggravated assault incidents. In the same time frame in 2023, 20 people were shot but not killed.

While that statistic is trending down, presented suicide statistics at Tuesday’s commission meeting that are trending up.

In 2023, between Jan. 1 and April 16, Booth said one person died by firearm suicide in the city. In the same time frame this year, three people have died.

“This is new,� Booth said, noting that Tuesday’s meeting was the first time commissioners were presented with and reviewed suicide-related data. “We can refine that, and probably do a more qualitative dig into that.�

But Booth noted that since the commission’s meeting in March, no additional gun-related homicides or aggravated assaults have been recorded.

“In our March meeting, we had five overall incidents of gun violence, either homicides or non-fatal shootings. And we have remained at five,� Booth said. “So, I’m cautiously optimistic.�

While Booth has been attending commission meetings since being sworn-in as police chief about five months ago, Tuesday’s meeting was the first he attended as an ex officio, non-voting member of the group.

In March, city council adopted an amended ordinance that altered commission membership parameters, specifically for council members. Tuesday’s meeting was the first that did not serve as commission chair.

While Cobb and <&underline></&underline> continue to attend commission meetings as a non-voting liaisons to council, the chair position has been filled by Rabbi Kathy Cohen.

And commissioner seats that were left open last fall as three members resigned have finally been filled. The new sitting commissioners are , the city’s coordinator; Jared Rose, a case manager at ; and , a director and pastor at .