As mayor, ensuring that all residents feel safe and secure is my top priority.
As one Peoria, we move forward as a team with a commitment to the safety and well-being of our residents. I am proud to inform you of some of the initiatives that will continue to enhance public safety across our communities.
First and foremost, this process has involved diligent collaboration with our dedicated police and fire departments, developing strategies to address existing needs and plan for future growth. As a city, Peoria is fortunate to have many dedicated individuals across our police and fire departments that work tirelessly each day to protect our citizens.
Recently, the city council unanimously approved the city’s annual budget. Through this budget, Peoria has committed to investing in updated technologies and equipment to support our local first responders, and enabling them to swiftly and efficiently respond to emergency situations for the safety of our community.
Included as part of these long-term investments, is funding for 23 new positions within the Police Department. Of those new positions, there will be four new School Resource Officers, solely dedicated to protecting students, schools and teachers across the city. As a result, each school in the Peoria Unified School District will be safer and more secure.
Additionally, Peoria has secured funding for a new emergency response helicopter and crew. This will allow Peoria, and other neighboring West Valley cities, to be better prepared and more equipped to respond to difficult emergencies. Peoria has also increased funding for overtime, training, updated software, and vehicles that will all contribute to reliable, efficient, and effective public safety services for residents.
Peoria’s Fire-Medical Department will receive funding for new positions, increased overtime costs, replacement vehicles, and a brand new fire station to be built in the future.
As Peoria continues to grow, the city is committed to preparing both the Peoria police and fire-medical departments to face unforeseen challenges. The well-being of our police officers, firefighters, and local residents is our first priority. As mayor, I am committed to working with my colleagues to dedicate the resources necessary to continue making Peoria one of the safest, and most resilient cities, across the Valley.
