BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington City Council is set to host its second public safety community engagement session on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The deliberation session will take place in Council Chambers (Room 115) at City Hall, located at 401 N. Morton Street, with remote access also available via Zoom.
This upcoming meeting builds directly upon the findings of the initial community dialogue held on September 9, 2026, which was facilitated by the Community Justice & Mediation Center (CJAM) to examine how residents experience safety in their daily lives.
Key Priorities from Session One
The October 21 agenda will focus on small-group deliberations structured around four core priority areas identified during the September session:
- Public Spaces and Accessibility
- Community Care and Crisis Response
- Public Safety Response and Accountability
- Communication, Transparency, and Community Trust
Additionally, themes of belonging, inclusion, and diversity will be integrated across all four discussion areas. Participants will tackle the core inquiry: “What can the City Council do to improve public safety in the different priority areas?”
Background on Community Findings
The first session revealed diverse perspectives across Bloomington regarding what makes public safety work. While some residents advocated for visible, problem-solving police patrols and active public space management, others emphasized non-policing approaches such as investments in permanent supportive housing, mental health treatment, and healthcare services.
Key themes from the September dialogue also highlighted infrastructure needs—such as improved lighting along the B-Line Trail and downtown alleys—along with community concerns regarding traffic safety, public firearms, and the predictability of shared public spaces.
How to Attend and Participate
- In-Person: Council Chambers (Room 115), City Hall, 401 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, IN.
- Remotely: Via Zoom (Meeting Link, Meeting ID: 861 6992 0334, Passcode: 631040).
- Broadcast: Meetings can be viewed online via Community Action Television Services (CATS) or the City’s YouTube Channel
Meeting materials and background reports are available on the Bloomington Common Council website.
