Public Safety Coordinating Council Meeting (2026-01-22)

PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATING COUNCIL ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Regular Meeting January 22, 2026 Convened: 3:32 PM Adjourned: 3:56 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 3:32pm by Chair, Commissioner Cathy Townsend. 2. ROLL CALL Roll call was taken. Quorum was established. Members Present: Commissioner Cathy Townsend, BOCC David Dodd (for Thomas Bakkedahl), State Attorney, 19th Judicial Circuit Cpt Rob Barton (for Sheriff Richard Del Toro), SLSO Cpt Petri Hayes (for D.C. Milo Thornton), SLSO Greg Jackson, New Horizons Joe Cracchiola, DOC Crystal Frihart (for Suzanne Caudell), CORE Program Members Absent: Chief Judge Charles Schwab, 19th Judicial Circuit Judge Daryl Isenhower, 19th Judicial Circuit Diamond Litty, Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit Julie Stoyka, Victim Services Others Present: Frank J Amandro, SLC Atty/CJD Allison Duffy, SLC Atty/CJD – Drug Lab Christopher Baker, SLC Atty/CJD – CJIS Ciara Forbes, SLC Asst Co Atty Chloe Leedom, SLC Asst Co Atty Clint Sperber, DOH – St. Lucie Erin Snellings-Allyn, NHTC Dr. Efrain Acosta, NHTC

Regular Meeting Thursday, January 22, 2026 3:30PM 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the October 23, 2025, meeting were unanimously approved. Motion by Cpt. Hayes; second by Cpt. Barton. 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Inmate’s ID’s Prior to Release Update – Cpt Petri Hayes • No movement, location has been established; waiting on information from Tax Collector and Public Defender’s Offices. B. Opioid Abatement Board – Clint Sperber • County RFA closed October 1; applications received through Purchasing. • Due to legal concerns, the composition and name of the Opioid Abatement Funding Advisory Board underwent changes. All applications are being reviewed by the Clerk and the Health Department. Reviewed applications are then given to new group to then give recommendations to County Commission. • Goal to meet with new individuals in the next couple weeks, put out 10-day public notice, present to County Commission for adoption, and have money out in March. 5. SHERIFF’S OFFICE UPDATES A. Law Enforcement Update – Cpt Rob Barton • Continued traffic enforcement on Indian River Drive. • Patrol division busy; homicide behind Pilot Truck Stop and shooting off Ave R, which took place during a Facebook Marketplace transaction. B. Corrections Update – Cpt Petri Hayes • Current jail population is 1,075; elevated numbers but w aiting on commitment paperwork for 17 people sentenced to DOC, process slowed due to holidays. • Evaluating and looking to increase programs within the facility: Celebrate Recovery, Journey Forward, spiritual, Aramark providing ServSafe certifications and retail program with inmate canteen. • In contact with New Horizons for LEO Baker Acts. Primary focus is better collaboration and communication on old LEO Baker Acts; follow up meeting on January 28th . • Commissioner Townsend noted she spoke with someone who works with the jail on case management and they were unaware the County provides transportation to discharged inmates. Private transit provides transport to released persons to Ave D bus terminal. 6. UPDATE BY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIRECTOR: FRANK AMANDRO A. Inmate Medical

Regular Meeting Thursday, January 22, 2026 3:30PM 3 | P a g e • Inmate Medical is officially under Criminal Justice Division. Jackie Tobias moved from under NaphCare to the Public Defender’s Office. Jackie will be a St. Lucie County employee until sometime this summer, when she will move back to the PDO. • Program is going exceptionally well for the partnership between the County, NaphCare and the Sheriff’s Office. Several meetings are held monthly to resolve any issues. Program is on target to save $5M. B. Drug Lab & Pretrial • Both programs working smoothly. • Outperforming stats for last year. Pretrial saved $4M in bed days for SLC and $400-500k in bed days for Okeechobee County. 7. JUDICIAL UPDATES A. State Attorney’s Office – ASA David Dodd • Tried cases in every division during December. B. Court – ASA David Dodd • Judge Mirman retired, leading to a shift on the Criminal Bench in Felony. Judge Heisey moved to Judge Mirman’s division. Judge Linn stayed where he is and Judge Meadows came from IRC. • Steven Wilson and Katie Mish are the newest Circuit judges appointed by the Governor. One will be assigned to the new Civil spot opened by the Governor as part of the new budget and the other is going to be in Family or Dependency. C. CORE Probation – Crystal Frihart • Satellite office moved within Courthouse. D. Dept. of Corrections – Joe Cracchiola • Mr. Cracchiola expressed appreciation for the support their SOTEC team has received from the Sheriff’s Office with searches and apprehensions. 8. NEW BUSINESS New Horizons grant opportunity may be opening within the next month through DCF–Criminal Justice, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Reinvestment Grant. Applicants need their county’s approval before applying. This grant would provide $400k/yr for 3 years to support Mental Health Courts. Commissioner Townsends asks that New Horizons get grant information to Frank to get this Council to vote on approval or disapproval to apply. New Horizons has held meetings with Lawnwood hospital’s ER and Pavilion departments, looking for better coordination for individuals being discharged from the Crisis Unit that need outpatient services. Looking to create a streamlined approach for automatic appointments, mandate requires an appointment within 5 days of discharge.

Regular Meeting Thursday, January 22, 2026 3:30PM 4 | P a g e Commissioner Townsend suggests New Horizons connect with RiteLife Services, a homeless advocate non-profit, which is starting a respite facility and could help with placement for NH discharges. 9. PUBLIC COMMENT None. 10. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Cathy Townsend adjourned the meeting at 3:56pm. Submitted by, Gabriela Garcia The next meeting will be held on April 23, 2026.