The Portland City Council is embroiled in a contentious debate over proposed budget cuts, specifically concerning a $1.9 million allocation intended for the Police Bureau.
Mayor Keith Wilson’s proposal to reallocate these funds to Parks & Recreation has become a focal point for the Council as it prepares to finalize the 2025-26 budget.
On May 21, the City Council narrowly voted 7-5 to divert the funds in an effort to prevent cuts to vital parks maintenance operations.
Proponents of the funding shift argue that the Police Bureau will receive increased financial support next year, with a budget rising from $308 million this year to $318 million.
Thus, they contend that reallocating the funds does not represent an actual cut.
Conversely, opponents warn that even with increased funding, the Police Bureau risks falling short of necessary resources to meet public safety demands.
They assert that the planned shift will adversely impact essential police services and operations.
Bob Cozzie, Portland’s incoming top public safety administrator, weighed in on the matter by issuing a comprehensive memo detailing potential losses for the Police Bureau if the budget shift goes ahead.
Among the core functions that could be affected are police missions asking for overtime to tackle pressing issues like street racing, car theft, and shoplifting, which have garnered public support.
Critics have referred to these as “Washington Monuments,” political tools designed to evoke public outcry to hinder cuts.
However, Portland Police Chief Bob Day dismissed this characterization, asserting that no such “monuments” exist within the bureau’s budget and that many areas still face significant shortfalls.
Day emphasized the importance of not decreasing the Police Bureau’s budget during a time when services need to be enhanced.
He stated, “This is not the time to make these adjustments. This is a time to build up what we’re doing and try to enhance and improve our response times.”
Councilors Candace Avalos and Angelita Morillo are leading the charge for reallocation, advocating for the Parks Bureau as it faces $6 million in cuts proposed by Mayor Wilson.
They believe that the Police Bureau has sufficient funding and that all city bureaus should be held to similar budgetary standards.
Morillo expressed, “We are not cutting police — they were given additional funding that no other bureau was given.”
She reinforced her belief that the Police Bureau should be subject to the same financial scrutiny as other departments.
“This is about equitable treatment across the city’s budget,” Avalos added, asserting that police funding is increasing overall.
Despite the projected increase, Cozzie’s memo highlights that the Police Bureau may still come up short due to rising costs associated with inflation and cost of living.
Cozzie pointed out that when adjusted for these factors, the bureau would require an additional $1 million to meet its needs.
Aaron Schmautz, President of the Portland Police Association, echoed these concerns, calling for clarity in budget discussions.
He stated, “Elected officials, bureaus, and the community must be presented with comprehensive and, more importantly, accurate information about impacts of budget decisions.”
Schmautz argued that the reduction of the $1.9 million represents a genuine cut, despite the proposed increase in police funding.
In response to the anticipated budget adjustments, Chief Day confirmed that the Police Bureau will prioritize funding for critical areas such as recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining officers.
This will necessitate finding savings from other sectors, ultimately resulting in diminished services.
“It’s just math,” Day concluded, emphasizing the necessary trade-offs involved in navigating the city’s budgetary challenges.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/06/top-portland-official-jumps-into-fray-in-debate-on-diverting-nearly-2m-in-police-funds-to-parks.html
