The Eugene City Council unanimously supported a 12 point downtown safety improvement plan developed after considerable input by downtown stakeholders and City staff.  Together, the short- and long-term actions will work to reduce crime in the downtown core, improve the feeling of safety, and make downtown a safe and welcome environment for everyone.

“Making downtown safer is a critical step in our downtown revitalization efforts.  These actions will improve the livability and vitality of our downtown core and help bring in businesses and jobs, contributing to our goals of fostering a vibrant downtown and boosting the local economy,” noted City Manager Jon Ruiz.

In its action today, the City Council approved proceeding with implementation of the short-term actions and requested that the City Manager come back with funding recommendations for the longer term actions.

Short-term actions include:

1.    Coordinating law enforcement efforts with private security and social service resources;

2.    Developing an ordinance or mechanism to address the sale and consumption of fortified wine and malt liquor;

3.    Automating behavior crime reporting;

4.    Modifying business improvement district fees;

5.    Reviewing the Downtown Public Safety Zone ordinance to assess effectiveness and consider amendments; and

6.    Creating downtown cleaning crews.

Long-term actions include:

1.    Coordinating unified approach to addressing non-emergency issues;

2.    Adding jail beds;

3.    Providing shelter options for people living on the streets and abusing substances in order to reduce use of higher cost services;

4.    Adding police officers to the downtown police team;

5.    Installing seasonal and more consistent lighting; and

6.    Enhancing services for people experiencing mental health issues.

A Downtown Safety Task Team, convened by Police Chief Pete Kerns and Planning and Development Director Susan Muir, developed recommendations for the plan during a series of six meetings from November to December 2009.  The team included downtown business owners, youth agency representatives, members of the Human Rights Commission, arts resources and other involved parties. The task team report is available at www.eugene-or.gov/downtown.

The City Manager and the City’s executive team used the report to craft 12 recommendations for the Mayor and City Council’s consideration.  On February 10, 2009 the Council is scheduled to continue their discussion on funding the four-part downtown revitalization strategy, which includes jobs and redevelopment, downtown safety improvements, downtown parking improvements, and arts and amenities.