On July 14, former Public Safety Chief, Mike Butler, spoke about policing in the past, present and future. "We need to get above our current struggles and look forward to what he future may bring. We need to look at reforming the system that has to do with dealing with human behaviors of substance addiction, mental health and homelessness. Laws do not help with the health and social issues that are prevalent in our society, although elected officials believe that laws are the key. As a society, we need to learn how to deal with these issues differently. We cannot continue to criminalize these behaviors. Police departments need to be more connected to their communities." The City of Longmont has implemented a number of programs that have contributed to a reduction in serious crimes even as the city's population has grown.