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Payroll Tax Funded Programs
The Community Safety System
The Community Safety System includes police, fire, Central Lane 9-1-1, municipal court, prevention and social services, which are interdependent and work together.
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Community Service Officers Improving Safety System
Funded by the CSPT, the addition of Community Service Officers (CSOs) has had an immediate impact on Eugene's safety response, and recent commendations have poured in for multiple EPD CSOs. Read on... -
Community Service Unit Trucks Roll Out New Look and Feel
What’s important about artwork? Plenty, and a picture is worth a thousand words. In this case, the new graphics on the trucks used by Community Service Officers will flag a difference between sworn patrol officers and civilian CSOs. Read on... -
CSPT-funded Street Crimes Unit Honored With EPD's Unit Citation Award
EPD’s Street Crimes Unit (SCU) has been honored for exemplary work in 2022. Read on... -
Community Safety Funding: The Heart of the Matter
Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) has always focused on improving life safety for our communities – often in the form of medical responses. Read on... -
Citizen Advisory Board 2022 Report Now Available
As a community-led oversight body, the Community Safety Citizen Advisory Board (CAB) monitors the City of Eugene’s collection and spending of the Community Safety Payroll Tax. Read on... -
City Prosecutor's Office Expands, Connects, and Reduces Backlog
The City Prosecutor’s Office (CPO) is committed to representing the people of the City of Eugene in a fair and equitable manner, and to handle all cases filed in Eugene Municipal Court consistently and efficiently. Read on... -
Rest Stop Program Supports, Stabilizes
Rest Stops are designated sites where people can stay in Conestoga huts in a secure, managed location, with on-site amenities as well as individualized and group facilitation supports. Read on... -
Community Court Lunch Program
One of the many way community members and groups can help people in Community Court is through the Community Court Lunch Program. Read on... -
Community Restoration projects through Community Court
Community Court program participants are required to complete a certain number of hours of Community Restoration during the length of their case plan. Read on... -
New Community Safety Icon
Eugeneans will start noticing this new icon around town on vehicles, websites, and program materials to help understand how funds received from the Community Safety Payroll Tax are spent. The image included shows the icon on a Eugene Police Vehicle. Read on... -
New Provider Room now open to all on Wednesdays
The Community Provider Room began at Community Court in the Eugene Public Library, connecting anyone in need with local service providers, whether they are part of the Community Court program or just passing by. Read on... -
Teen Empowerment Program
From the outset, the Community Safety Payroll Tax has included funding for out-of-school youth programs, which helped launch Eugene Rec’s Youth & Teen Empowerment Program in January 2022. Read on... -
New mural brings connection and color to Community Court
When developing a plan for our new Community Court Provider Room, we knew the space needed some color and warmth brought in to help people feel more welcome and comfortable. Read on... -
Ambulance Transport Fund at Eugene Fire
The Ambulance Transport Fund (ATF) supports Eugene Fire & EMS’ emergency medical services and the services they provide to the community. Read on... -
Eugene Police Department – Community Service Officers
Community Service Officers (CSOs) serve a vital role in enhancing response by providing an alternative response to sending a sworn officer and by keeping the community safe. Read on... -
Increasing Service Level in FY22 and FY23
The City slowed the planned implementation of the CSI on the FY22 Adopted Budget from the previous implementation strategy due to caution regarding the unknown impact of the pandemic on employment and tax collection. Read on...
Watch the July 20 City Council Work Session. Following a presentation by Eugene Police Chief Skinner, the Council had a discussion about public safety funding and how to most effectively bring a broad array of perspectives and priorities into our discussions of structural change.
- 40 patrol officers, 5 detectives, 4 sergeants and lieutenant
- 10 community service officers, sergeant and lieutenant
- 9.5 staff for 911
- Street Crimes Unit
- Animal welfare and traffic safety officers
- Evidence control and forensic analysts
- 10 additional jail beds in Springfield Municipal Jail and increased jail services
- Opening 3rd municipal courtroom with additional staffing
- 911 triage/community response unit
- Expansion of Community Court and Mental Health Court
- Enhanced homelessness services – emergency shelters options and day center
- Youth out of school prevention programs
Funds will only be used to pay for community safety services. Protections in the proposed ordinance passed by the Council include:
- Creating a separate fund for payroll tax revenue
- Ensuring that payroll tax funds won’t replace existing funding
- Requiring an independent financial audit
- Establishing a citizen advisory board to review annual performance audits
- Requiring a 7-year review and reauthorization
- Charter amendment capping the rates and limiting use to community safety
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 out of the system. Community partners are integral.
- Deter crime
- Connect people to services
- Engage at-risk youth early
Respond
Increased response times are integral to improving our Community Safety System. Through the CSPT, we will:
- Answer more calls for service
- Get to more crimes faster
- Use 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