WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — During his first weeks of Mayor of West Palm Beach, former city commissioner Keith James wants to take a close look at policies and procedures within the city, by creating a transition team that will examine several departments.
"Between 40 and 50 representatives of neighborhoods of businesses of nonprofits who are going to help us look at various policy issues and make some specific recommendations," said Mayor James.
While violent crime within the city is down, parts of West Palm Beach are still impacted with deadly shootings too frequently. The mayor says public safety is a priority and is already taking action.
"We are already putting into place, me hiring what I call my public safety liaison, somebody who is going to report directly to me and help me as I begin assessing the performance and policies in our public safety operations that means police as well as fire," said James.
For two terms one of former Mayor Jeri Muoio's priorities was city growth, primarily in the downtown area, and James wants to expand that to other neighborhoods.
"We're not talking about 25-, 30-story high rises at the exterior of our city, but it would be nice to have and to continue to develop economic hubs if you will, that will provide services to those folks that reside there or work in those parts of the city," added James.
The mayor said he is excited to get to work.
