Vancouver voters reject Proposition 4, police services levy

Vancouver voters reject Proposition 4, impacting future police services and staffing.
Vancouver voters reject Proposition 4, impacting future police services and staffing. File photo

Proposition 4 would have funded additional sworn police officers, non-sworn police positions, efficiency-enhancing technologies, facility expenses, and costs related to police staff and services

VANCOUVER – While election results have not been certified, preliminary results from last week’s election show that Vancouver voters have rejected Proposition 4, the Police Services Levy.

“While we are disappointed that Proposition 4 did not pass, we understand that public safety continues to be a priority for our community,” said Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle. “We remain committed to identifying solutions to ensure the safety and security of our community.”

“Although this did not pass, the community indicated underlying support. We will seek to understand why people may have chosen to vote no and see if there may be a path forward with some adjustments to our plans,” said City Manager Lon Pluckhahn. 

“Despite Proposition 4 not passing, I want to assure residents that the Vancouver Police Department remains committed to the safety of our city and dedicated to our core function and service, which is patrol response to 9-1-1 calls for service,” said Interim Police Chief Troy Price. “Over the next few months, the department and city leadership will be looking at what services over time may need to be reduced while our population increases and the police department staffing remains the same. Your continued support will be needed as we navigate into the future.” 

Proposition 4 was developed with the 13-member Police Advisory Committee of Vancouver residents, convened by the city manager. It would have funded additional sworn police officers, non-sworn police positions, efficiency-enhancing technologies, facility expenses, and costs related to police staff and services, including the impact of additional staffing on jail, corrections, and public defense.

The election results will be certified on Nov. 22. 

Information provided by the city of Vancouver.


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7 Comments

  1. Bob Koski

    Homeowners dodged a big bullet on this one. I can think of nothing more dangerous than giving Vancouver City Clowncil the unlimited ability to raise property taxes to fund all of their hare-brained schemes. The scheme they peddled in the name of Law Enforcement was a massive over-reach that stood little chance of ever achieving what was promised, except for the massive perpetual tax increases.

    That said, take a look at the next Clowncil’s agenda, and count the ways they are raising every single tax in sight. Next up is a new B&O retail tax to fund the so-called “bridge shelter” that promises to wreak havoc on the Vancouver Mall neighborhoods at the behest of their newly minted “houseless neighbors”. Good luck up there folks…you’re going to need it.

    Reply
    1. Susan

      “scheme they peddled in the name of Law Enforcement was a massive over-reach that stood little chance of ever achieving what was promised, except for the massive perpetual tax increases”…. how true, how true!

      Vancouver does not have a budget problem. It does, however, have a spending problem.

      Vancouver Mayor and Council… STOP THE NEEDLESS SPENDING for pie-in-the-sky, political-posturing projects!

      Reply
      1. MetaWorld2

        I, thoroughly objected to their ‘Sneaky way’ in which they wrote that proposal! That is wrong. It doesnt take fragmented-mumbo-jumbo language to say: If you vote for more police which you KNOW we need, youre going to have to ‘Pay for it!’
        Via the DIMS manufactured events, THEY caused the Need for more, in the first place, by all their ridiculous mandates, rules stretching the will of the people. Especially parents !

        Reply
  2. Anna Miller

    We will seek to understand why people may have chosen to vote no and see if there may be a path forward with some adjustments to our plans,” said City Manager Lon Pluckhahn. Nice try, no cigar. Yes, make those adjustments and if you come back with something, let’s not use the good people of law enforcement for a “shield” to run-a-way tax scheme.

    Reply
  3. David Ciaverella

    Perhaps you shouldn’t over-reach by asking for a 5% property tax increase each year for next several years and offer vague explanations in addition to essential service funding like “develop AI technology”, meaning, hard working people’s money down the government rabbit hole. You think the majority of the population are as gullible as Portland’s?

    Reply

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