Item Number: 21
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: January 20, 2026
Submitted By:
Keith C. Metzler, City Manager
Subject:
Public Safety Plan Update
Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council review and file the attached Public Safety Plan Update.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with Goal A – Financial Sustainability and Goal B – Public Safety as outlined in the City of Victorville 2023–2026 Strategic Plan. Measure P is a vital source of revenue that enables the City of Victorville to enhance public safety and expand essential services. Funds generated through Measure P support vital departments such as Police, Fire, Code Compliance, Animal Services, Community Services, and Homelessness Solutions, helping to meet the needs of a growing population.
Background:
On May 19, 2020, the City Council was presented with the Victorville Public Safety Plan, a comprehensive strategy to improve public safety. After a thorough review, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 20-065 on July 21, 2020, authorizing the submittal of a one percent General Transaction and Use Tax (TUT) measure on the ballot for the November 3, 2020, General Municipal Election. At that election, voters approved Measure P, enacting a one percent (1.0%) TUT, enabling the City to expand essential services and increase public safety for Victorville’s growing population. This one percent sales tax took effect on April 1, 2021, increasing Victorville’s sales tax rate from 7.75 percent to 8.75 percent.
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Discussion:
Since the approval of Measure P in 2020, the Public Safety Plan has served as a strategic framework for investments directed at enhancing public safety in the Victorville community. Said investments have been allocated to departments including Police, Fire, Code Compliance, Animal Services, Homelessness Solutions, and Community Services.
This Public Safety Plan Update is intended to highlight achievements, promote transparency in the use of Measure P revenues, and keep the City Council and community informed about how Measure P continues to support public safety and community improvements.
Once Measure P took effect on April 1, 2021, the City immediately began making monumental investments in public safety, including the opening of Fire Station 315 with a medic engine comprising nine Fire personnel and adding 11 new personnel to the Police Department. Measure P led to immediate additional investments outlined in the Public Safety Plan, including a proactive approach to Code Compliance and Animal Services, as well as expanding operations to seven days a week.
Although the aforementioned investments were immediate, Measure P has funded numerous accomplishments. The Police Department has reduced response times, decreased traffic collisions and fatalities, increased traffic citations, and implemented an 8-beat patrol system that focuses on smaller geographic areas for quicker response times and greater community presence. The Fire Department has added three new Type 1 front-line engines, one tractor-drawn aerial (Tiller), and three transport capable squads, along with investments in personnel in suppression, prevention, emergency medical services, and administration. Most notably, 12 Firefighter Paramedics were added to the department in 2024 and have been instrumental in improving response times and reducing the call volume on the front-line engines, allowing the front-line engines to be available for higher-level calls for service. Code Compliance has increased staffing by 212% since the Public Safety Plan was presented to the City Council and created the Homeless Engagement Taskforce (HET) to reduce homelessness and identify issues with the City’s homeless population. Although there was no need for an animal shelter during the Public Safety Plan, in December 2023, Animal Services repurposed the former Goodwill High School into an Animal Care and Adoption Shelter. This change occurred due to the closure of the shelter previously operated by the Victor Valley Animal Protective League.
While an important goal for Measure P was to increase Public Safety, Ordinance 2409 establishing the General Transaction and Use Tax, listed the purpose as unrestricted revenue to be spent on essential municipal services, including, without limitation, recreational facilities and parks. Measure P has funded several Community Services projects such as the 24-hour remote library kiosk at Sunset Ridge Park, refinishing the gymnasium floors at Hook Park and the Westwinds Sports Center, tennis court and pickleball court resurfacing, replastering the Doris Davies Pool, the installation of self- cleaning restrooms at Center Street Park and Brentwood Park and expenses at the new Library that were not covered by the grant from the State of California. 4 5
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As the Public Safety Plan directs the utilization of Measure P revenue, it should be noted that the City has adopted several new strategies not originally outlined in the Plan. The City will continue to adjust these strategies to ensure that all projects and objectives are in alignment with the City’s Strategic Plan. Staff recommends the City Council review and file the attached Public Safety Plan Update.
Staff remains available for any questions or comments you may have.
Prepared By:
Tony Camargo, Deputy City Manager
Darcy Mahoney-Henson, Administrative Analyst
Attachments: A. Public Safety Plan Update