Tacoma residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and public spaces. Today, Tacoma faces serious public safety challenges – crime rates have been significantly above national averages (areavibes.comareavibes.com) – but there are promising signs that smart strategies can make a difference. In 2022, the city suffered a record 45 homicides (fox13seattle.com), but by late 2023, a new data-driven approach led to a 17% year-to-date drop in violent crime (fox13seattle.com). Building on this momentum, Jesus will pursue a comprehensive, outcomes-focused public safety plan:
- Data-Driven Policing & Accountability: Expand the Tacoma Police Department’s evidence-based Violent Crime Reduction Plan, which has already reduced violent incidents by nearly 19% (fox13seattle.com). By using crime data to deploy officers to hot spots and proactively interrupt violence, we will continue driving down shootings, assaults, and robberies. At the same time, rigorous police accountability measures should be implemented, such as supporting the Community’s Police Advisory Committee recommendations and strengthening oversight to ensure constitutional, unbiased policing. As former Police Chief Moore noted, “this strategy must reduce crime without over-policing communities” (fox13seattle.com). Our goal is a 50% reduction in violent crime over the next four years, achieved through smart enforcement and community trust-building.
- Community-Oriented Policing: Rebuild trust by assigning officers to walk/bike beats in neighborhoods, attend local meetings, and partner with neighborhood watch groups. Neighborhood Liaison Officers will be accessible to residents, fostering relationships that help prevent crime and improve response times. By knowing the community, officers can better address issues before they escalate. We will measure success by increased resident satisfaction and safety perceptions. Today, only ~29% of locals feel very safe walking at night (areavibes.com) – we will raise that number through visible, responsive policing.
- Integrated Crisis Response Teams: Not every 9-1-1 call requires an armed officer. Jesus will work to expand Tacoma’s alternative response programs (cityoftacoma.org) by deploying mental health professionals and social workers alongside police for calls involving mental health crises, substance abuse, or homelessness.
- Integrated 911 Response: Launch an expanded crisis response team so that mental health professionals and EMTs respond to behavioral health calls and non-violent emergencies, freeing police to focus on serious crime. For example, sending trained social workers to handle mental health crises or homelessness-related calls will improve outcomes and reduce strain on patrol officers. Tacoma’s alternative response pilot programs have shown promise – Jesus will scale them citywide and pilot an initiative to leverage state resources. Success (cityoftacoma.org) measured by reduced use-of-force incidents and more people in crisis getting connected to help rather than jailed.
- Gun Violence Prevention & Youth Investment: Tackle gun violence as a public health crisis. Jesus supports Washington’s recent ban on the sale of military-style semi-automatic rifles and will ensure Tacoma PD fully enforces gun safety laws. The city will host gun buy-back events and promote safe firearm storage to get guns off the streets. More importantly, we’ll address root causes by expanding youth programs – funding after-school activities, job training, and mentorship in high-risk neighborhoods. By providing positive pathways for youth and engaging with at-risk individuals (through initiatives like violence interruption programs and gang outreach), we can stop the cycle of violence before it starts. Progress will be tracked in fewer shots-fired incidents and a decline in youth-involved crime.
- Safe Neighborhoods & Property Crime Reduction: Being progressive on safety means protecting residents from all crime while upholding justice. Jesus will form a Property Crime Task Force within TPD to focus on car theft rings, porch piracy, and burglaries. This includes partnering with neighboring jurisdictions and state authorities to bust chop shops and improve prosecution of repeat offenders. We’ll improve street lighting, expand neighborhood watch/block programs, and use targeted surveillance tools (with proper privacy safeguards) in high-theft areas. We aim to cut property crimes like auto theft and burglary by 30% in the next two years and porch piracy by 80% in four years – a tangible quality-of-life improvement for Tacoma’s families and businesses.
- Police Training, Recruitment & Diversity: As a former Army Ranger, Jesus understands the value of top-notch training and discipline. We will increase training for officers in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and implicit bias. Emphasize recruiting a diverse police force that reflects Tacoma’s communities, building a culturally competent department that earns trust. Jesus will also push to fill department vacancies to ensure we have enough officers for proactive patrols and community engagement. By 2025, every Tacoma patrol officer will wear body cameras (a reform already underway) and every recruit will complete enhanced community policing training before hitting the streets. These steps will professionalize the department while reinforcing a culture of respect and accountability.
Outcome Metrics: Success in public safety will be measured by concrete outcomes – lower 911 response times, reduced crime rates, fewer complaints of officer misconduct, and improved community survey results on safety. Jesus will publish transparent public safety dashboards so residents can track progress. The vision is a safer and more just Tacoma, where families feel secure, and all residents are treated with dignity.