Did You Miss Mayor Jim Ellison's State of Royal Oak Address: WATCH

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Royal Oak Mayor Jim Ellison highlighted housing growth, a vibrant downtown, the network of public parks and events, high-quality schools and crime rates in his annual State of the City Address at Bistro 82 on July 21.

Ellison called crime reduction “impressive,” thanks in part to community support for a public safety millage that has helped the Royal Oak Police Department rebuild after historic staffing low in 2011. Staffing should return to full strength by 2016, with 79 sworn officers.

Still, crime continues to drop, Ellison said.

“In fact, we had fewer home invasions, fewer vehicles stolen and fewer assaults than at any other time on record,” he said. “Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue reports ... crimes which involve force or threat of force, have dropped more than 25 percent in the last four years.”

The annual event was was hosted by the Royal Oak Rotary Club, and was attended by more than 80 guests.

Watch the address below, or read a printed version here.

City of Royal Oak photo