Delray Beach commissioners and multiple residents warned at the July 8 City Commission meeting that a growing number of officer departures and unfilled positions are stretching public-safety capacity.

Several residents told the commission that recent crime and vehicle-theft incidents near their homes have been followed by slow or limited police action. Resident Melissa Morales Milkman said she and her family had four cars stolen and received “nothing more than a police report.” Another resident, Billy Roach, said the city’s infrastructure and safety services are suffering despite strong tourism revenue and urged an independent audit and clearer funding priorities.

The mayor and other commissioners referenced an external magistrate’s report in the police bargaining impasse, and Mayor Carney summarized part of the magistrate’s findings, quoting the document: “the undersigned does not take issue with the union's assertion that the city's current wages are not competitive with other agencies.” Carney said the magistrate recommended extending the police drop program from five to eight years and that the city should consider accepting that recommendation at an upcoming July 17 executive session.

Commissioners and speakers repeatedly tied departing officers to recruitment and retention pressures. Commissioner Long said the city had lost “22 officer vacancies” when including non-deployable positions and warned the staffing shortfall could force difficult choices about mutual aid and operational control. Public speakers described recent safety incidents — a broken railroad crossing arm during July 4 events, a disabled freight train that blocked major roads, an officer who was injured while detaining a juvenile, and a strong-arm robbery near a restaurant — to underscore operational strain.

City leaders noted that recruitment and retention are complex and that the city faces competition from Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office hiring and other regional agencies. Commissioners asked that the July 17 meeting focus on the magistrate’s recommendations and on options to address salary competitiveness and pension-related tools as part of a broader strategy to stabilize staffing.

The commission did not take an immediate vote at the July 8 meeting on bargaining terms; Mayor Carney and other commissioners said they would address the magistrate’s recommendations and possible contract changes at the scheduled executive session on July 17.