PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — A majority of Vancouver voters have rejected a proposition that would further invest in police services by increasing property taxes for residents.
According to Clark County Elections results released on Tuesday afternoon, 47.71% of voters said “yes” to Proposition 4 while 52.29% said “no.” The proposition — which has been dubbed as the “police services levy” — would boost funding for the Vancouver Police Department.
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“Public safety has consistently been a top issue for the community,” Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in July . “This measure refers the first of a series of police services funding measures to meet the growing and changing demand for public safety services in Vancouver.”
City officials reported VPD has experienced a 30% rise in call volume and 86% rise in reported crimes since 2018. Leaders also note Vancouver has Washington’s second-lowest rate of police department staff , in cities with more than 100,000 residents.