Scottsdale Mayor Lisa Borowsky pushes to expedite review of Public Safety Plan ordinance amid Old Town crime concerns

In response to a series of recent violent incidents in Old Town Scottsdale, Mayor Lisa Borowsky is pushing to expedite her recently agendized request to conduct a sweeping review of the city’s Public Safety Plan ordinance.

In furtherance, the mayor is convening a summit of Entertainment District stakeholders and decisionmakers geared toward protecting public confidence in one of the country’s premier entertainment destinations.

Mayor Borowsky’s initiative follows unanimous City Council support for her recently agendized proposal to strengthen Scottsdale’s Public Safety Plan ordinance in entertainment-based establishments, including potential reforms and stronger security requirements for businesses covered under the ordinance.

“The recent violence in Old Town is unacceptable; I am confident the area’s stakeholders and business owners agree. Together, we will work to identify enhanced security measures that serve to reduce safety compromising incidents and create an overall better experience.” Mayor Borowsky said.

“Scottsdale is one of the safest cities in America, a longstanding reputation that the current City Council continues to prioritize and strengthen. We will not tolerate the actions of a handful of bad actors to threaten that reputation, endanger public safety or undermine the businesses that depend on a safe and welcoming environment.”

Among the issues under consideration are enhanced training standards and other measures aimed at preventing violence, deterring criminal activity and improving public safety in high-traffic entertainment venues.

“It is important that any security enhancements the city seeks to impose be crafted with the input and, ideally, with consensus, from the area’s stakeholders,” Mayor Borowsky points out.

Of Note: Updates and recommendations will be developed with the support of the City Council Community Safety Subcommittee.

Mayor Borowsky has called a Public Safety Summit for Friday, Sept. 11, bringing together operators from Scottsdale’s Entertainment District and city leadership to examine recent incidents and identify immediate and viable solutions.

The meeting will focus on security practices, coordination between businesses and law enforcement, crowd management, patron safety, operational standards and other measures designed to prevent violence and disorder before they occur.

“Public safety is not an afterthought,” Mayor Borowsky said.

“Every business in the Entertainment District benefits from Scottsdale’s safe and robust reputation, and every stakeholder is encouraged to be part of the solution. We are bringing the decision-makers to the table to discuss what is working, what is not and what additional steps should be implemented to better protect residents, visitors and employees.”

Mayor Borowsky contends the city is prepared to take a close look at whether existing public safety requirements are sufficient to meet today’s challenges.

“Nobody should come to Old Town wondering whether they will be safe,” Mayor Borowsky said. “Once improvements are identified which strengthen our Public Safety Plan ordinance, security training or enhance accountability, then those must be implemented.”

The summit comes as city officials work to balance Scottsdale’s vibrant nightlife economy with the need to maintain order, protect patrons and support responsible business operators who have invested heavily in the district’s success.

“Our objective is simple,” Mayor Borowsky said. “I fully support a thriving and successful Entertainment District, but that success is conditioned upon a foundation of safety.”