Local residents have raised real concerns about public safety in District 4, especially when it comes to emergency response times. When someone calls 911, they expect help to arrive quickly - not eventually. In a district as large and spread out as District 4, that expectation can be harder to meet, and many are questioning whether response times here are keeping pace with more condensed areas of the county.

That’s not something we should accept as “just the way it is.” Geography plays a role, but it’s not an excuse. It means we have to be more intentional about how we plan, fund, and deploy our public safety resources. Response times, station placement, staffing levels, and equipment all need to reflect the reality of serving a larger, more rural district.

We owe it to residents to take a hard look at how public safety funding is being used and whether District 4 is getting the level of service it needs. That means reviewing response time data, understanding where gaps exist, and making sure resources are aligned with actual demand - not just historical patterns or assumptions.

And if there are gaps, we need to ask direct questions and be willing to act. Does that mean more or better-placed fire stations? More personnel on duty? Stronger patrol coverage in key areas? Those decisions should be driven by data and guided by a clear goal: faster, more reliable response when it matters most.

Public safety shouldn’t depend on your ZIP code within the county. District 4 residents deserve the same level of protection and response as anyone else, and I’m committed to making sure we ask the right questions, get clear answers, and take action where it’s needed.