An intense discussion transpired at the Portland City Council on Wednesday as councilors grappled with the contentious issue of police funding amidst ongoing public safety considerations.
The debate centered around an effort to redirect $1.9 million back to the Portland Police Bureau from previous budget allocations.
This attempt faltered quickly, serving to highlight the ongoing divisions regarding police budgetary needs in a city grappling with the aftereffects of increased crime during the pandemic.
Rather than solely bolstering the police budget, councilors opted for a compromise that allocated funds across various public safety sectors—including fire, emergency management, and the Portland Street Response.
This decision was aligned with a growing recognition that public safety extends beyond policing alone.
The Council’s debate on police funding follows a previous vote on May 21, where a 7-5 decision redirected $1.9 million previously earmarked for police to the Portland Parks & Recreation department.
Some council members criticized this diversion, suggesting it echoed notions of defunding police initiatives, a concept that gained widespread attention in 2020.
Initiating Wednesday’s discussion, Councilor Steve Novick proposed to carry over $1.9 million in unspent police funds to next year’s budget.
However, Councilor Mitch Green countered with an alternative proposal, suggesting a broader allocation of $2.2 million from unspent police funds to a fund accessible by all public safety bureaus with City Council approval.
In a surprising turn, Novick promptly withdrew his proposal, endorsing Green’s suggestion as a more comprehensive approach to public safety funding.
“Public safety is more than police,” Green remarked, emphasizing the need for a more equitable distribution of resources among all safety services.
The council approved Green’s amended proposal by a vote of 11-1, with City Councilor Tiffany Koyama Lane casting the sole dissenting vote.
Lane explained her decision, noting that she preferred to avoid the contentious debate unfolding around the funding issue.
The ongoing discussion reflects a complex landscape in which how to allocate resources effectively between the Police Bureau and other public safety entities remains an unresolved tension.
Disagreements over police budget allocations have persisted for several weeks as the council navigates public safety priorities amid calls for accountability and resource balancing.
Mayor Keith Wilson’s initial proposal sought a $10 million increase in the Police Bureau’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to raise it to $318 million.
However, some councilors disagreed, advocating for cuts while highlighting the necessity for other city bureaus to also make budget adjustments.
Police leaders, including interim deputy city administrator for public safety Bob Cozzie, made the case that without these additional funds, the bureau would struggle to maintain essential services that rely on overtime expenditures.
Despite the police leadership’s pleas, councilor Angelita Morillo expressed her frustration, questioning the late disclosure of the $3 million in unspent funds from the Police Bureau.
Morillo’s comments underscored a broader discontent among councilors about transparency in financial reporting from the bureau.
Councilor Candace Avalos echoed more critical sentiments, suggesting that the current division of funds was driven by external pressures on council members.
Green responded, clarifying that his proposal was not about revoking the previous budget decision but about allowing a collective approach to public safety funding.
City officials, including Cozzie, have voiced their support for Green’s proposal, describing it as an opportunity to enhance the training and staffing capacities across all public safety sectors.
In a separate vote, councilors rejected another proposal from Avalos, aiming to allocate 75% of the projected police overtime budget into a controlled fund, which would require City Council approval for expenditure.
Despite increasing calls for restructuring how the police budget is utilized, many councilors, including Mayor Wilson, indicated their preference for maintaining flexibility in handling overtime spending, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of public safety needs.
As Portland continues grappling with the aftermath of crime-related challenges, the dialogue surrounding the funding of public safety services is expected to continue evolving, with scrutiny placed on both police and community safety efforts.
image source from：https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/06/portland-city-council-ends-police-budget-clash-with-unexpected-twist.html
