Meeting Times / Details

Every Other Month Meetings: 4th Thursday at 1:00 PM 

Government Center Boardroom, Room 400, 4th Floor

 Commission Information

 Details
Term Length: 2 Years
Members: 10 (9 members + 1 Ex-Officio)
Mayor Appointments: 9
City Code: Chapter 2, Section 355
Vacancy: Yes
Contact:

309-434-2210
Description

History of the Commission 

In 2023, the Special Commission for Safe Communities is hereby established as an advisory body to the Bloomington City Council to help enhance community safety by reducing gun violence. To achieve the City's goal, the Commission will: (1) Collect, evaluate, and assess data on gun violence and weapons violations within the Bloomington area; (2) Identify patterns and underlying causes of gun violence and weapons violations within the Bloomington area; and (3) Provide specific recommendations about how the City might address identified issues. This Special Commission was established for two years.

Special Commission for Safe Communities' Final Report of Recommendations (2025)

Present Day Commission

In December 2025, City Council voted to make the Special Commission a permanent commission (Ordinance #2025 - 090). It shall now be known as the Commission for Safe Communities and shall be considered as advisory only with the following purposes:

  1. Regularly monitor, evaluate, and annually report to the City Council on the progress, outcomes, and effectiveness of all City-adopted gun violence risk reduction recommendations. To accomplish this, the Commission shall coordinate with the Bloomington Police Department and all relevant City departments to access the necessary data, measure implementation efforts, and make recommendations to ensure ongoing accountability for achieving community safety goals.
  2. Advise the City Council by making formal recommendations and requests for the necessary funding, staffing, and legislative action required to fully implement and sustain long-term violence reduction initiatives. 
  3. Serve as the central hub for coordinating community stakeholders and City resources, and periodically provide strategic recommendations for adapting, refining, and expanding prevention efforts based on new data and community needs. 
The Commission for Safe Communities shall consist of 9 members appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council and one Staff Liaison (ex-officio member) form the Bloomington Police Department.  Initial terms are as follows: 5 members from the previous Special Commission for Safe Communities shall each be appointed to serve for a two-year term; 4 members from the Special Commission for Safe Communities shall each be appointed for a one-tear term. All subsequent appointments shall be for two-year terms, except when an appointment is made to fill a vacancy created mid-term to which the member will serve the remaining portion of the unexpired term.
 
The Chair and a Vice-Chair of the Commission shall be selected amongst the members of the Commission and may not serve as Chair or Vice Chair for more than two consecutive years. A majority of the sitting members of the Special Commission shall constitute a quorum. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed and confirmed, unless removed from office.

Members
 Appointer Indicator  Position  Name   Term Exp 
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member     Cierra Aiden  4/30/2027
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member  John Scott Denton  4/30/2027
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member  Kaitlyn Selman  4/30/2028
 Mayor Appointed Position   Member  Cathy Lust  4/30/2028
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member  Elizabeth German  4/30/2028
 Mayor Appointed Position  Chair  Ryan Bertrand  4/30/2028
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member  Robert Harris  4/30/2028
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member  Vacant  
 Mayor Appointed Position  Member  Vacant
   City Staff (Ex-Officio)  Aaron Veerman  N/A

 Mayor Appointed Position  Indicates Mayor Appointed Position