Public Safety & Policing

Boyer began by focusing on the Freeport Police Department, celebrating progress in staffing—claiming the department is nearing full strength after hitting historic lows between 2018 and 2022. Two previously eliminated programs, the Student Resource Officer and K-9 Unit, have returned. He also highlighted new technology like ShotSpotter, License Plate Readers, and integration with Ring doorbell cameras.

Of note, Boyer shared that over the last four years, the department has seen a 26% increase in female officers and a 166% increase in minority representation. While these percentages initially sound impressive, no baseline numbers were provided, leaving unclear whether those figures reflect meaningful change or statistical inflation.

The City also touted partnerships with local organizations such as Faith Leaders for Peace and High Hope Freeport, both launched in 2024. William Brown of High Hope Freeport is now recognized as the Miller administration’s “Diplomat to the Community.” Boyer announced plans for a "March for Peace" on June 6, with similar events every two weeks. However, the city also reported an all-time high in “shots fired” incidents in 2024—calling into question the effectiveness of these partnerships in curbing violence. (CORRECTION: The city reported 29 “shots fired” Incidents in 2024. Chart provided below.)

On a more positive note, the city reported 82 firearms seized in 2024. Yet, some residents are concerned this figure could also suggest more illegal firearms circulating in Freeport’s neighborhoods.

Public Works & Infrastructure

City Manager Boyer, who previously served as Public Works Director, celebrated the creation of an in-house paving crew. However, progress has been slow. While the city has 135 miles of roadway, 110 miles remain in poor condition. Boyer reported that only 20 miles have been repaved in the last five years, with a goal of 5 more miles in 2025—well short of the 8 miles per year target.

On the water system, Boyer addressed concerns about the Well on N. Brick Avenue, which remains contaminated and is currently in reserve status—only to be used in the event of a major fire or water main break. It will be decommissioned once a new well is completed. The city is also shifting from chlorine treatment to UV disinfection for water purification.

Human Resources & Staffing

A surprising revelation came when Boyer noted that the city is now at its highest staffing level, despite Freeport’s lowest population in decades. The administration attributed this to increased police staffing and new administrative positions—raising concerns among residents that a "Part-Time Mayor" structure may require more full-time staff and tax dollars to compensate.

Finances & Transparency

Over the past four years, the City has received $50 million in grants. In 2024, it hired a $90,000/year lobbying firm to pursue more funding—though any return on that investment remains unclear.

Boyer also announced that Freeport will begin producing an Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit in response to growing public criticism about transparency. With a shrug, he added, “Because people keep saying we’re not transparent,” and lamented that the audit would be “more work.” He did not say whether a new, independent auditing firm would be used.

In 2024, FOIA requests reached a record 164, a number Boyer jokingly attributed to the people in the room. Some view the surge in requests as a sign of healthy civic engagement—others see it as growing public distrust of city leadership.

Communications & Public Engagement

Communications Director Brian Bridge’s department made 371 Facebook posts in 2024, reaching an estimated 384,000 people. The city now plans to begin posting in additional languages, though Boyer only said “bilingual” without clarifying which language. It is presumed to mean Spanish.

Fire Department

Perhaps the most shocking statistic of the evening: 308 actual fires since 2022—not including EMS calls. That’s roughly one fire every 2.3 days, raising significant questions about fire safety and prevention in Freeport.

Community & Economic Development

Boyer proudly shared that the city demolished 51 properties in 2024 (an average of one per week) and implemented the Tolemi Landlord Registry—an effort to address rental conditions and crime. He described the program as “perfect,” raising eyebrows among residents familiar with ongoing issues and the lack of enforcement.

Mayor Miller’s Remarks

Mayor Jodi Miller wrapped up the meeting with a prepared speech, echoing many of Boyer’s points and reiterating that the future of Freeport is to continue what we’ve done over the past four years—with a minor pivot toward new housing development.

Resident Questions & Revealing Answers

During a five-minute Q&A, a resident asked about “red water” from her bathroom fixtures. Boyer responded vaguely: “That depends on where you live,” before assuring residents that the city’s water is “100% safe” and “the best in the area.”

Another resident asked about the Mayor’s plans for business development downtown. Miller instead discussed her focus on the Meadows area on the Southside. When asked specifically about plans for the Eastside, Boyer said both the Eastside and the Meadows area are now designated floodplains and cannot be developed—adding that the Eastside will be targeted for demolition and green space. This contradiction—promising development in one floodplain while declaring another undevelopable—left many scratching their heads. Is the new well to protect the commercial property in the Meadows area while sacrificing the neighborhoods on the Eastside?

Finally, when asked about city-school partnerships, Boyer responded with a sarcastic quip: “I have a meeting with Anna Alvarado, does that count?”

Final Thoughts

For many, the meeting was eye-opening. For others—especially those who followed the recent election—it felt like a rebranded version of Mayor Miller’s campaign speeches, just delivered in another voice and with PowerPoint.

Whether this presentation marked a meaningful step toward transparency or just more of the same, one thing is clear: Freeport residents are paying attention. And that, in itself, is progress.