Community Safety Initiative

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Community Safety Pinwheel DiagramThe Community Safety System

The Community Safety System includes police, fire, 911, municipal court, prevention and social services, which are interdependent and work together. 


What is the problem? 

Our Community Safety System is stressed

  • Calls for police service increased 21% from 2014-17.
  • Staffing levels have remained relatively flat.
  • One out of three non-life threatening police calls for service receive no response, and general response times have increased by 20 minutes. 
  • The number of unsheltered homeless adults is significantly higher than in many other similar communities. 

While many creative programs have been applied to this problem to maximize resources and meet community needs, the growing demand continues to outpace capacity.

What is the plan? 

The Eugene City Council passed the Community Safety Payroll Tax Ordinance (No. 20616) in June 2019 to provide long-term funding for community safety services. The Community Safety Payroll Tax is expected to generate funds to provide faster, more efficient safety responses, deter crime, connect people to services, engage and help at-risk youth, support more investigations and court services, and add jail beds to reduce capacity-based releases and hold those who commit crimes accountable.

Three-pronged approach

Prevent

Many people are seen repeatedly. The goal is to reduce those interactions and help people deal with their challenges. Community partners are integral.


  • Deter crime
  • Connect people to services
  • Engage at-risk youth early

Respond

This is the first priority with the goals of:


  • Answering more calls
  • Getting to more crimes faster
  • Using new tools and methods to increase efficiency

Resolve

The goal is to resolve every situation in a way that is best for the people involved, as well as the community.


  • More investigations
  • More court services
  • More accountability
  1. Updates
  2. Funding Highlights
  3. Accountability Requirements
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