Staffers and council members from Fort Walton Beach, Cinco Bayou and Mary Esther gathered Tuesday at the Fort Walton Beach Public Library to talk public safety.
Fort Walton Beach City Manager Michael Beedie led the workshop in which officials heard from city Police Chief Edward Ryan, Fire Chief Ken Perkins and Finance Director Brandy Ferris about the ways the city can improve on public safety and possibly partner with neighboring governments.
“Every time this conversation comes up, it turns into a pissing match between the jurisdictions,” Beedie said. “Fort Walton Beach is not trying to take over Cinco Bayou ... Mary Esther. ... It’s our due diligence; it’s our duty as public servants to look at every option on the table.