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City of Knoxville · City Council

Debbie Helsley’s votes on Public safety · in 2025

24 recorded votes: 23 aye · 1 no

← Debbie Helsley’s page All of Debbie Helsley’s votes →

Oct 28, 2025
Apply for grant to purchase body-worn cameras R-297-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, in the amount of $1,000,000, with no required local match, to be used to purchase body-worn cameras and associated training, supplies, and equipment for Knoxville law enforcement officers. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 7-0-0-2
Unanimous
Oct 28, 2025
Apply for grant for violent crime intervention programs R-296-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a grant award of $2,900,000.00 from the State of Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs, with no required local match, to be used for costs associated with violent crime intervention programs. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 7-0-0-2
Unanimous
Oct 28, 2025
Apply for FY25 Community Violence Intervention Grant R-295-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply and accept a FY25 Office of Justice Programs Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative grant in the amount of $2,000,000.00, with no required local match, from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance, to be used to combat violent crime and to improve police and community relations. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 7-0-0-2
Unanimous
Oct 28, 2025
Apply for FY26 Downtown Public Safety Grant R-294-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept the FY26 Downtown Public Safety Grant award of $4,941,358.00, with no required local match, from the State of Tennessee Office of Criminal Justice Programs, to increase public safety, reduce blight, enhance economic development infrastructure, and reduce crime in downtown business and commercial areas. (Requested by Operations) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 7-0-0-2
Unanimous
Sep 2, 2025
Resolution to contract with Public Consulting Group, LLC for Fire Dept. strategic plan R-254-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Public Consulting Group, LLC, to provide professional consulting services in order to develop a strategic plan for the Knoxville Fire Department for an amount not to exceed $85,050.00. (Requested by Fire Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Sep 2, 2025
Resolution to accept donation from Knoxville Fire Fighter's Association R-253-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to accept and express appreciation to the Knoxville Fire Fighter's Association for the donation of $23,950.00 to be used for the purchase of supplies for the Knoxville Fire Department's "Learn Not To Burn" program to educate children about fire safety. (Requested by Fire Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Sep 2, 2025
Ordinance to remove City blasting permit requirement due to state jurisdiction O-112-2025 — An Ordinance of the Council of the City of Knoxville Amending Sections 11-1 and 11-2 of Chapter 11 of the Knoxville City Code, so as to remove the requirement for individuals to apply for and receive a City blasting permit as the state has sole jurisdiction for issuance of said permits. (Requested by Fire Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Aug 5, 2025
MOU with Knox County for Homeland Security Grant for Police vehicle R-228-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Knox County to accept $29,000.00 as a subrecipient of the 2025 Homeland Security Grant in order to purchase a Side-by-Side Utility vehicle to be used by the Knoxville Police Department. Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 6-1-0-2
Split
Jul 22, 2025
Apply for and accept grant for School Resource Officer Program R-211-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a grant award from the State of Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, in an amount not to exceed $525,000.00 for the School Resource Officer Program, with no required local match, to be used for expenses such as training, equipment, salary and benefits for School Research Officers at seven Knox County Schools. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Jun 24, 2025
Apply for DOJ grant for FY25 Community Policing Opioid Interruption Grant R-168-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrant for Opioid and Drug Market Interruption from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, in the amount of $175,000.00, with no required local match, to increase the use of community policing principles to address public safety problems facing communities and law enforcement agencies through innovative strategies and projects. Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Jun 24, 2025
Apply for DOJ grant for FY25 Community Policing Officer Recruitment Grant R-167-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply and accept a FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrant for Officer Recruitment, Hiring and Retention from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, in the amount of $175,000.00, with no required local match, to increase the use of community policing principles to address public safety problems facing communities and law enforcement agencies through innovative strategies and projects. Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Jun 24, 2025
Apply for DOJ grant for FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrant VCP R-166-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a FY25 Community Policing Development Microgrant for Violent Crime Prevention from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, in the amount of $175,000.00, with no required local match, to increase the use of community policing principles to address public safety problems facing communities and law enforcement agencies through innovative strategies and projects. Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Jun 24, 2025
Apply for DOJ grant for KPD de-escalation and crisis response training R-165-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a grant award in the amount of $500,000.00, with no required local match, from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, to be used to enhance de-escalation and crisis response training for Knoxville Police Department Officers and regional Law Enforcement Agencies. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Jun 24, 2025
Apply for FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant R-162-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute all documents necessary to apply for and, if awarded, accept a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide funding via the Fire Prevention and Safety Grant Program (FP&S) in the amount of up to $525,924.75 with a five percent (5%) City Match of up to $27,680.25 to support a Community Risk Reduction Programming and Public Education Initiative led by the Knoxville Fire Department. Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Jun 24, 2025
Authorize agreement with Health Alliance for VI R-155-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention to provide training and technical assistance to the University of Tennessee Medical Center and City of Knoxville Office of Community Safety in the development and implementation of hospital linked violence intervention programs for an amount not to exceed $31,050.00. (Requested by Office of Community Safety and Empowerment) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 6-0-2-1
Jun 24, 2025
Authorize agreement with Covenant Counseling for victim services R-154-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with Covenant Counseling to provide individual and group counseling services for victims of gun violence and their families, as well as community violence intervention service providers for an amount not to exceed $60,000.00. (Requested by Office of Community Safety and Empowerment) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 6-0-2-1
Jun 10, 2025
Authorize automated enforcement systems for speeding and noise O-53-2025 — An Ordinance to amend the Knoxville City Code, Chapter 17, Section 17-210, to authorize automated enforcement systems for regulating speeding in school zones and motor vehicle noise at no direct cost to the City and in support of the City's Vision Zero Initiative. (Requested by Law Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-1-0-0
Split
May 27, 2025
Authorize agreement with Blue Line Solutions for traffic enforcement R-137-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with Blue Line Solutions, LLC (BLS) to provide products and services to the City for school zone speed enforcement, traffic signal enforcement, and noise enforcement in order to promote traffic safety. (Requested by Engineering Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 7-1-0-1
Split
May 27, 2025
Authorize agreement with UT for community violence assessment R-129-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to enter into an agreement with the University of Tennessee Social Work Office of Research and Public Service to conduct a comprehensive community violence assessment to evaluate the implementation of place-based strategies (Project TLC), its impact on violent crime in identified areas, and levels of community trust and perceptions of safety in identified areas, in a total amount not to exceed $100,000.00. (Requested by Office of Community Safety and Empowerment) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
May 13, 2025
Extend contract for Community Violence Intervention programming R-127-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to extend the contract with National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform to manage implementation of Community Violence Intervention programming, provide technical assistance to the City of Knoxville, and provide training on Group Violence Reduction Strategies for the City of Knoxville and community partners for an amount not to exceed $519,750.00, for a total contract amount not to exceed $826,800.00. (Requested by Office of Community Safety and Empowerment) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: No Motion to defer:Failed 3-6-0-0
Split Failed
Apr 29, 2025
Recognize April 27 - May 3, 2025 as National Youth Violence Prevention Week R-100-2025 — A Resolution of the Council of the City of Knoxville recognizing April 27 - May 3, 2025, as National Youth Violence Prevention Week in the City of Knoxville. (Requested by Office of Community Safety and Empowerment) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Mar 18, 2025
Execute agreement with TBI for ICAC Task Force travel and training R-87-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an agreement with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to coordinate Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigator travel and training pursuant to a grant from the U. S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs, in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00, with an option to renew the agreement for one additional one-year period upon written agreement by the parties. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Mar 18, 2025
Accept $300,000 grant for Traffic Enforcement, Safety, and Community Programs R-86-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents to apply for and accept grant funding from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) in the amount of $300,000, with no required matching funds, to support Traffic Enforcement, Traffic Safety and Safe Community Programs. The funding will pay for equipment, supplies and overtime for KPD Officers conducting enforcement, and for Officers and Technicians who oversee programs such as Child Passenger Safety, Teen Driving, and Older Driver safety. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous
Mar 18, 2025
Apply for and accept $35,000 grant for pedestrian safety campaigns R-85-2025 — A Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute any and all documents necessary to apply for and accept a grant from the Tennessee Highway Safety Office in the amount of $35,000, with no required local match, to provide overtime funding for pedestrian safety campaigns. (Requested by Police Department) Public safety
Debbie Helsley’s vote: Aye Adopted 8-0-0-1
Unanimous

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