Bringing Dumfries’ Voice to the National Conversation on Public Safety, Innovation, and Trust

By Mayor Derrick R. Wood

February 20, 2026

Representing Dumfries in the National Public Safety Conversation

For the past two days, I was in Phoenix participating in a national public safety summit hosted by Axon in partnership with the African American Mayors Association.

I wasn’t there just to listen. I was there to make sure Dumfries had a voice in the national conversations shaping how communities across the country protect life, strengthen public trust, and use technology responsibly.

Because public safety doesn’t start with equipment or software.

It starts with confidence between residents and those sworn to protect them.

And across the country, cities are asking the same question:

How do we adopt new public safety tools while building stronger community trust?

What Mayors Across the Country Are Discussing About Public Safety

Public safety is evolving quickly.

At the summit, mayors, police leaders, and public safety professionals discussed how new tools are helping communities:

• Reduce use-of-force incidents with non-lethal options
• Improve response times through real-time intelligence systems
• Strengthen accountability through body cameras and evidence platforms
• Use data and technology to better understand crime patterns and prevention

But one message was repeated in nearly every session:

Technology alone does not build safer communities. Trust does.

Even the most effective public safety tools can raise concerns if residents don’t understand how they work, why they’re used, or how they protect lives.

That’s not a failure of innovation.

It’s a reminder that communication and transparency matter just as much as the tools themselves.

Why This Matters for Dumfries

This trip wasn’t about purchasing equipment or making immediate decisions.

It was about learning from national conversations, building relationships, and making sure Dumfries stays informed as public safety continues to evolve.

As mayor, my responsibility is to balance safety, transparency, and accountability while keeping our community informed about how we move forward.

When residents understand how public safety systems work:

• They cooperate more confidently during emergencies
• They share information that helps officers respond faster
• They feel safer in their neighborhoods
• And they support the investments being made to protect them

That’s not theory — that’s what strong local leadership looks like.

Looking Ahead for Public Safety in Dumfries

I will continue working with our police department, staff, and community leaders to evaluate what lessons from this summit may be useful here at home.

My goal is simple:

Keep Dumfries safe while keeping our residents informed, engaged, and confident in the systems that serve them.

Because the future of public safety isn’t just about better tools.

It’s about making sure those tools are understood, trusted, and used in ways that reflect the values of the community they protect.

Closing: Leadership That Keeps Dumfries at the Table

I’m grateful to the African American Mayors Association and Axon for bringing local leaders together to discuss the future of public safety, technology, and trust.

As your mayor, I will continue showing up in these national conversations so Dumfries is prepared, informed, and represented wherever decisions about the future of our communities are being shaped.

Because leadership isn’t just about responding to what happens today.

It’s about making sure our town is ready for what comes next.