A much more optimistic view of public safety compared to previous meetings was seen Wednesday night at a special gathering of the Redding City Council. Although most agreed that there is a long way to go, generally speakers said the city is going in the right direction. With a relatively new city manager and police chief in office the meeting seemed to move in a positive direction. Manager Barry Tippin lined out several things the city is doing to fight crime and homelessness issues, including a proposed citizens academy, new cameras and lighting for the trail system, and an expanded neighborhood watch program. The council also accepted a donation from Bethel Church to partially fund the neighborhood police unit for two years. Chief Roger Moore said the NPU is essential to curbing the growing crime problem. Moore says the NPU goes after the worst of the worst. Since January 2016 they have arrested 1229 people, and have seized almost 6 pounds of Meth and 10 pounds of Heroin. The Redding Police Department is expecting to make about 9,000 arrests this year with 100,000 calls for service. Sheriff Tom Bosenko addressed the issue of jail overcrowding, and said that they’re always looking for creative ideas to increase capacity. He says the county is asking the state for permission to feed prisoners in shifts instead of all at once, thus freeing up space in the common area that could be used for about 60 more beds. Mayor Brent Weaver says that there will be another public safety meeting sometime in the Spring.