City Manager Update: November 2024

Vancouver remains committed to increasing public safety

The City is acutely aware that public safety is a top priority for our community. We have heard that message repeatedly through community surveys and other channels, and agree. Since 2018, Vancouver has seen a 30% increase in call volume for police services and an 87% increase in reported crimes. To help address this trend, City Council unanimously approved a resolution to place Proposition 4, a levy to fund increased police services, on the Nov. 5 ballot.

Proposition 4 would have funded additional sworn police officers, non-sworn police support positions, new technology, facility expenses, and costs related to police staff and services, including the impact of additional staffing on jail, corrections and public defense.

Election results have not been certified, but ongoing results from last week's election show that Vancouver voters have rejected Proposition 4 by a narrow margin. In light of that, I want to assure you that we still know the community's desire to enhance public safety and we are committed to finding solutions that enhance the safety and security of our community. We will seek to understand why people may have voted no and learn if there is a path forward with some adjustments to our plans.

Further, I want to assure you that the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) remains committed to the safety of our city and is dedicated to its core function and service, which is patrol response to 9-1-1 calls for service. As we navigate into the future, VPD and City leadership will look at what services may need to be adjusted over time as our population increases and our police department staffing remains the same.

I'm confident that we'll find a way in the future to achieve our goal of making Vancouver one of the safest urban cities in Washington.