The Chula Vista City Council unanimously approved a budget plan to increase police staffing to meet the demands of a growing city and an anticipated influx of tourists.
Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy is aiming to bolster her department in anticipation of a projected surge in tourism, conventions, and overall population growth in the city. The City Council has shown its support, unanimously approving a budget plan to increase police presence. This plan includes hiring one police captain and six new officers, funding for overtime, the purchase of four patrol vehicles, and additional equipment storage lockers.
Mayor John McCann believes that the city's population will likely exceed 300,000 within the next decade or two, leading to a significant demand for law enforcement. He emphasizes the city's desire to remain one of the safest incorporated cities in the county. The projected cost of $1.12 million will be covered by Measure A funds. These funds, generated by a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2018, are dedicated to supporting police and fire staffing and services. The department's current staffing levels are below the regional average. While Chula Vista has approximately 290 officers for a population of 280,000, the regional average for comparable cities is 370 officers. Chief Kennedy highlights the upcoming opening of the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in May, which will bring a significant influx of visitors and necessitate increased security measures. She also notes the ongoing expansion of housing, commercial, and other developments in the city's east region, further contributing to the need for additional police personnel. To address these growing demands, the department plans to expand its workforce, potentially including the opening of a police substation in the city's east region.
Chula Vista Police Department Expansion Tourism Population Growth Measure A Gaylord Pacific Resort City Council
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