Community Service Officers Contribute to an Efficient Community Safety System
In September 2018, following months of public engagement, the Eugene City Council endorsed an 18-month bridge-strategy of $8.6 million to address immediate community safety system needs. This one-time funding was provided in December 2018 via the supplemental budget.
Since that time, Eugene Police and other community safety partners including police, fire, 911, municipal court, homelessness, and related social services, have begun applying the bridge funding. For EPD, that has meant hiring police officers to create a Street Crimes Unit, as well as hiring dispatchers and community service officers, and expanding jail services. This work has been in progress in each of these areas.