The 2025 Portland Police Bureau Budget must be reduced.

The current proposed budget increases police funding from the General Fund by $12 million, bringing the Portland Police Bureau’s (PPB) total budget to $318 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. PPB is the city bureau with the largest share of the General Fund—34% in 2024-2025—and the 2025-2026 proposed budget will bring it to 38%. This is all while Portland is looking at a huge $65 million budget deficit. Mayor Wilson is proposing to cut every other public service EXCEPT PPB In a time when we should be making cuts to police and investing in the services and programs that truly make our communities safe.

The time for action is now! Mayor Wilson and the City Council must shift budget priorities away from PPB immediately.

THE CASE FOR BUDGET REDUCTION

We support a reduction in the number of police officers, rather than adding more positions. Recently, the PPB has been harassing community free stores that supply community members with basic necessities. They’ve also been showing up at events hosted by city council members who are trying to hold the PPB to the bare minimum standard of accountability. 

As Councilor Angelita Morillo said herself, “when I see that there are multiple police officers who are showing up to just watch town halls and not participate…and they are rolling in maybe 11 cop cars and 20 officers deep to make sure they are intervening on people handing out free food and hygiene kits, I have to ask where all the police money is going…it’s hard for me to read it as anything other than intimidation.”

In a time where white supremacists are in control of the federal government and targeting vulnerable communities, and the historical connection and overlap between white supremacists and police in this region specifically, it’s illogical to prioritize police for crisis response. This is especially true for crisis response for vulnerable communities that are targeted by the Trump and MAGA agenda.

Portland is currently facing crises related to housing and addiction. With this federal administration, we have already seen millions of dollars cut from food banks and other services, with more reductions likely to come. Many of us are already struggling to get what we need, and many of these services are already lacking in funding and staffing.

Cutting funding to necessary life affirming resources like housing, health-care and treatment actually contribute to worsening conditions for everyday people in Portland, making us less safe. By diverting funds away from policing, the city can invest in community based resources and alternatives that specialize in mental health, addiction, recovery, and restorative justice.

Proposed cuts that we should fund instead:

• $10 million from the Bureau of Transportation
• $6.7 million from Parks and Recreation, including community programs, childcare, maintenance, and 15 positions
• $2.4 million from the Housing Bureau
• $600 thousand from City Operations
• 32 positions at the Water Bureau
• $3 million from Environmental Services
• $1.8 million from Planning and Sustainability
• $1.7 million from Prosper Portland
• $800 thousand from community grants, Diversity in Civic Life grants, and the Civic Life Office
• $300 thousand from the Equity and Human Rights Office

City services and programs to invest in:

• Reliable public transit
• Safe and stable, long-term housing
• Non-coercive addiction treatment and recovery programs, including peer support, safe injection sites, and access to Narcan
• Parks and community centers, including summer camps and childcare
• Access to clean water and healthy food
• City-wide emergency preparedness
• Sustainability and environmental services
• Community food programs like Equitable Giving Circle
• Community grants that advance equity and accessibility
• Well-maintained roads, bike paths, and sidewalks
   

We demand alternatives and non-punitive options for people dealing with a crisis. We need community solutions to community problems.

Take a stand with us by signing the petition, endorsing the call to cut the police budget.

Sign the petition today to cut police spending!

We, the undersigned residents, advocates, and community members, urge Mayor Wilson and City Council to not increase the PPB budget. Prioritize strong, safe communities by investing in Portland's people, not the police.