Our Safety

If we are to thrive and move effectively through difficult challenges, then it is important that we have a safe and secure community. I know there is uncertainty and even fear in our community right now.

We’ve been meeting with community partners to discuss how we can collaborate on supporting community safety and belonging. We want everyone to feel safe and welcome in our community.

Additionally, potential employers and businesses are more likely to locate in areas offering a good quality of life.

Our city continues to honor our commitment to develop a safe and prepared community. Fire and police must be able to provide strong and responsive service. To accomplish this, we must have adequate staffing, training, and equipment for our first responders.

Our challenge is striking the right balance – ensuring fiscal responsibility while protecting essential services. This is vitally important as our community struggles with wavering economic conditions.

We are committed to public safety. We respect and support the work of our law enforcement, fire and emergency service workers.

Public Safety Groups - My Participation

FBI Citizens Academy
Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization
Community Task Force on Policing
Safe Communities Task Force
Neighbors on Watch (NOW)
Fire Corps
Graffiti Task Force

Public Safety Projects - My Involvement

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training
Vancouver Fire Department Community Academy graduate
4th Plain Corridor Sub Area Plan
Neighbors on Watch (NOW) volunteer – patrols, base, precinct tours
Fire Corps volunteer – smoke alarms and education
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FMEA) – Lobbying for safety training and equipment

Immigration-Related Executive Orders

When it comes to decisions and policies made at the Federal level, especially around immigration-related executive orders, the city has a long history of standing firm in its commitment to supporting the well-being and safety of all its residents, regardless of their immigration status. This has been a core principle of our policies for the last eight years.

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) will not engage in immigration-related investigations or sweeps and will not inquire about an individual's immigration status. Officers will not contact, detain, or arrest anyone solely based on a suspected violation of immigration laws.

Vancouver Police

Community safety remains a top priority, and the challenges in providing adequate police services persist. As our population grows, so too does the demand for police services. Calls for service are becoming increasingly complex, often requiring multiple officers for extended periods, which in turn diverts resources from other areas of the city.

Since the 2024 failure of Proposition 4, we have been meeting with our partners to discuss regional law enforcement and court needs. Regardless of funding, the Vancouver Police Department’s officers and staff remain committed to working with our community to preserve life, protect property, and enhance livability.

Staff: New Police Chief – Troy Price

Equipment: Support for a possible Real-Time Crime Center
Camera Program – All uniformed officers and cars
Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) - FAA regs

Funding: Asked voters to approve Proposition 4, a levy to fund police services
Work with the County to prepare for November 2025 Proposition 5

Training: Regional Criminal Justice Training Center (Most diverse class, 5 women)
Advocating for the new Training Center – State Legislature

Staff:	New Police Chief – Troy Price
Equipment:	Support for a possible Real-Time Crime Center Camera Program – All uniformed officers and cars Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) - FAA regs
Funding:	Asked voters to approve Proposition 4, a levy to fund police services Work with the County to prepare for November 2025 Proposition 5
Training:	Regional Criminal Justice Training Center (Most diverse class, 5 women) Advocating for the new Training Center – State Legislature

Vancouver Fire and Emergency Services

We remain dedicated to the promise of previous voter-approved measures, such as Proposition 2 for Fire and Emergency Services. These enhancements have helped more effectively distribute the call load, allowing engine companies to focus on higher-priority and critical calls.

Early 2025 data shows that response times in these areas have decreased by 5% compared to last year. Systemwide, response times in our combined city and county area have improved by 6% over 2024.

Staff: Nearly 120 newly hired firefighters over the last 2 years

Equipment: Truck 10 on the east side
Squad programs at Stations 1, 2, and 6
Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (State - $25K)
Smoke alarms – Project Home Safe (Federal)
Stop the Bleed – CPR training kits (State)
Portable Radios (Firehouse Subs - $24K)

Stations: Designing a retrofit for Station 8 (new truck and crew)
Planning to replace Stations 3 (Lieser Road) and 6
New Station 11 completed

Staff:	Nearly 120 newly hired firefighters over the last 2 years
Equipment:	Truck 10 on the east side Squad programs at Stations 1, 2, and 6 Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (State - $25K) Smoke alarms – Project Home Safe (Federal) Stop the Bleed – CPR training kits (State) Portable Radios (Firehouse Subs - $24K)
Stations:	Designing a retrofit for Station 8 (new truck and crew) Planning to replace Stations 3 (Lieser Road) and 6 New Station 11 completed

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