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Community Safety System
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Police staffing levels have remained flat, despite a growing population and public safety needs
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Community Court was launched in 2016 as a program for those committing non-violent offenses in the downtown area
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Park Ambassadors work with EPD in City parks to help promote safety and quality experiences
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Cahoots provides 24/7 mobile crisis intervention
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911 calls for Eugene Police have increased 21% in the past four years, while staffing levels have also remained flat
What's the problem?
Over the past 5 years, Eugene's population has grown and so have our public safety needs.
In the past 5 years:
- 911 calls for Eugene Police have increased 21%
- Police and 911 staffing has remained flat
- Average wait time has increased by 20 minutes
- Police are unable to respond to 1 out of 3 calls due to lack of patrol resources (when there is no immediate threat to life)
Our Fire & Emergency Medical Service (EMS) face a similar problem. Many of the calls to our Fire & EMS are for people experiencing chronic conditions who need ongoing care or help, but without many resources, they are forced to rely on emergency services.
While many creative programs have been applied to this problem to maximize resources and meet community needs, the growing demand continues to outpace capacity causing critical gaps in community safety and services.
- What's Next?
- Community Surveys
- Community Outreach
- What's been working?
- Timeline
- Council Presentations / Media Coverage
What's Next?
At its September 26 Work Session, the Eugene City Council unanimously recommended a one-time, 18-month funding strategy to address these issues. The City Council is scheduled to vote on the "bridge funding" as part of the supplemental budget at their December 10 meeting.
See Community Safety Bridge Funding details
The City Council also approved the formation of a Community Safety Revenue Team that would evaluate long-term funding strategies that could sustainably fund community safety needs beyond the bridge funding. The team will consist of at least three Councilors as well as present and past Budget Committee members and would complete their work by February of 2019 for Council consideration.
Both a phone and online survey were conducted this summer to gain a deeper understanding of the public's thoughts and feelings about community safety.
Phone Survey
Strategy Research Institute conducted a benchmark scientific survey of 408 residents in July 2018.
Online Survey
We also received more than 2,400 responses to an online survey between July 27 and September 10, 2018. A summary of these responses was shared with the Eugene City Council at their September 26 Work Session.
Results
- Summary of phone survey results (July 2018)
- Analysis of online survey and comparison with phone survey (July-September, 2018)
- Qualitative answers to online survey:
Still Seeking Input
We are still interested in hearing more about the community’s assessment of safety in Eugene and your priorities for outcomes. Therefore, the online survey remains open so that additional community members can provide input.
This summer, the City reached out to the community in a variety of ways to get a better understanding of people's concerns and priorities as they relate to community safety and services.
Community Input
We attended/will attend the following events throughout the summer to discuss community safety and services.
Event Booths:
- June 26: Farmer's Market Family Day, Park Blocks, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- July 10: Party in the Parks, Churchill Sports Park, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- July 12: Touch-a-Truck, Petersen Barn, 5-7:30 p.m.
- July 17: Party in the Parks, Maurie Jacobs Park, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- July 29: Sunday Streets, Downtown Eugene, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
- August 5: Cal Young Neighborhood Block Party, Wesley United Methodist Church, 12-3 p.m.
- August 7: Party in the Parks, Bethel Community Park, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- August 8: Whiteaker Community Council Ice Cream Social, 6-8 p.m.
- August 14: Party in the Parks, Washington Jefferson Park, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- August 16: Family Fun Night, Petersen Barn, 5:30-7 p.m.
- August 21: Party in the Parks, Arrowhead Park, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- September 6: 2018 Pearl Street Block Party, 5-7 p.m.
- September 7: Fiesta Cultural, Kesey Square, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
- September 9: Southwest Hills Neighborhood Association Annual Picnic, 4-7 p.m.
Speaker Series:
- July 18: League of Women Voters Wednesday
- July 24: Eugene Chamber of Commerce Board
- August 7: Eugene Rotary
- August 20: Grupo Latino Accion Directa (GLAD)
- August 22: Jewish Community Relations Council
- August 24: Eugene Chamber of Commerce Greeters
- September 7: LatinX Alliance
- September 11: Jefferson Westside Neighbors
- September 17: Northeast Neighbors Association
- September 18: Active Bethel Neighborhood Association
- October 17: Integration Network
- October 25: Friendly Area Neighborhood Association
- November 13: Fairmount Neighbors Association
By working with local partners and looking for creative solutions, we've maximized our public safety resources for our growing population with its increasing needs. This work has focused on connecting people to services that help address underlying issues.
Programs and Innovative Solutions
- Community Court
- Court Programs and Alternative Solutions
- Community Outreach Response Team (CORT)
- Funding Cahoots
- Activating Downtown Eugene with events and programs
These programs have demonstrated success in reducing arrests and the need for emergency services. They also rely on grants, one-time funding, or reallocating existing resources and need stable, ongoing funding to continue or expand.
2018
- February: City Council Work Session
- May: City Council Work Session and Budget Committee Meeting
- July: City Council Work Session
- September: City Council Work Session - Review of Strategy and Funding Options
- December: Vote on Fiscal Year 2019 Supplemental Budget, which will include $8.6 million in community safety system funding through June 2020
2019
- February: City Council Review of Funding Options
City Council Presentations
- Opens a New Window. September 26, 2018 Work Session Webcast Opens a New Window.
- September 26, 2018 Work Session PowerPoint Opens a New Window.
- July 18, 2018 Work Session Webcast Opens a New Window.
- July 18, 2018 Work Session PowerPoint Opens a New Window.
- May 16, 2018 Work Session Webcast Opens a New Window.
- May 16, 2018 Work Session PowerPoint Opens a New Window.
- Feb. 20, 2018 Work Session Webcast Opens a New Window.
- Feb. 20, 2018 Work Session PowerPoint Opens a New Window.
Recent Media Coverage
- Judge Wayne Allen: Retiring after 43 years at Eugene Municipal Court Opens a New Window. (KMTR, Dec. 5, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Eugene police aspire to be a 21st century partner Opens a New Window. (Register-Guard, Nov. 28, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Eugene PD Steps Up Recruiting Opens a New Window. (Register-Guard, Nov. 13, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Special Report: Requesting Backup Opens a New Window. (KEZI, Nov. 7, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Q&A with Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner Opens a New Window. (Register-Guard, Nov. 2, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Public Safety Funding Opens a New Window. (KMTR, Sept. 28, 2018)
- City Council Eyes More Police Funds Opens a New Window. (KEZI, Sept. 28, 2018)
- Eugene City Council to commit $8.6 million to public safety Opens a New Window. (Register-Guard, Sept. 27, 2018)
- Eugene Police Release Video About Community Safety Opens a New Window. (KEZI, Sept. 12, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Police Seek More Funding Opens a New Window. (KEZI, Aug. 9, 2018)
- City of Eugene launches public safety survey Opens a New Window. (Register-Guard, Aug. 4, 2018)
- Lack of patrol officers has new Eugene Police Chief facing tough problems Opens a New Window. (KMTR/KVAL, July 11, 2018)
Opens a New Window. - Eugene police chief orders review of patrol operations Opens a New Window. (Register-Guard, July 6, 2018)