City officials and the Brevard Sheriff’s Office met Tuesday at the Melbourne Police Department headquarters to discuss ongoing collaboration on neighborhood safety programs. The meeting, attended by Mayor Buddy Dyer and Sheriff David W. Leathers, focused on expanding community policing efforts in areas with high foot traffic near downtown and the Melbourne Beach corridor. "We’re seeing more interactions between residents and officers in places like the West Melbourne Farmers Market," said Police Chief Jeff Hall during the session. "That’s a positive trend, but we need to ensure consistency across all districts." The discussion included updates on a pilot program launched in February that pairs officers with local business owners to address petty crimes in commercial zones. Data from the first three months showed a 12% decrease in reported incidents in participating areas, according to a memo shared at the meeting. The city and sheriff’s office also reviewed plans to increase late-night patrols near the Melbourne Regional Airport, where officials noted a rise in vehicle break-ins over the past year. "Our goal is to create a unified approach to safety that reflects the needs of every neighborhood," Dyer said. The meeting followed a similar session in January between city leaders and the Florida Highway Patrol to coordinate traffic enforcement on State Road 520. No new initiatives were announced during Tuesday’s discussion, but both sides agreed to reconvene in mid-June to evaluate progress on existing programs. Residents can provide feedback on public safety priorities through the city’s website or by attending monthly community forums held at the Melbourne Civic Center.