'A necessity': Gresham police, firefighters asking voters to pass safety levy

Gresham voters are once again deciding if they'll fund more firefighters and police officers.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Gresham voters are once again deciding if they'll fund more firefighters and police officers.

While voters said no in 2023, there's a big change to what's on the ballot this time around.

The biggest difference between the ask last year and the one on the ballot now is that the money would go just to police and fire -- last year, money would have also gone to homeless services.

Measure 26-247 would pay for 13 more firefighters and nine more police officers over the next five years. The levy would cost $1.35 per $1,000 of assessed property value, meaning that the owner of a $400,000 home would pay about $616 per year.

"Our firefighters and fire department need the citizens' help. The levy is dedicated to the police and fire department and it is the step in the right direction to provide additional staffing," said Brandon Baird, the deputy fire marshal for the Gresham Fire Department. "It is, in my opinion, a necessity."

The levy last year failed by less than 500 votes. 

Fire and police say the funding would make a difference in response times. Gresham's population has grown almost 20% in the past 20 years. Shootings have gone up and fire calls have increased by almost 70% during that period -- the city has fewer police officers and just 9% more firefighters than it did two decades ago. 

Additionally, the levy is also a smaller amount than what was asked for from taxpayers last year. Nearly all property owners would be required to pay it, not just homeowners.