On November 2, 2004, Oakland voters demonstrated their generosity and concern for public safety by passing Measure Y, the Violence Prevention and Public Safety Act of 2004 (VPPSA).  Voters approved a new parcel tax along with a parking surcharge on parking in commercial lots in order to support:  1) full staffing for 25 fire engine companies and 7 truck companies – ending rotating closures; 2) 63 new police officers for community policing and other focused policing efforts; and, 3) violence prevention programs.

• Fire Department

  Funding through VPPSA: $4 million per year

  Eliminates rotating closures of fire stations citywide

• Re-opens 2 engine companies for total strength of 25 engine companies and 7 truck companies, 24/7
• Expands paramedic services from 25 units to 33 within 3 years
• Enhances the Fire Department’s community programs that reach Oakland youth
• Police

Funding through VPPSA: approximately 60% of revenues (after deducting fire safety funding), equal to around $9 million for fiscal year 2005-06

• 63 sworn police officers, bringing total sworn strength to 802.
• One officer for each community policing beat (43 officers added to 14 now authorized)
• Six additional Crime Reduction Team officers to focus on homicides, drug dealing
• Additional officers for school safety, truancy, domestic violence and child abuse

• Violence Prevention Services

Funding through VPPSA: at least 40% of revenues (after deducting fire safety funding), equal to around $6 million for fiscal year 2005-06

• Youth outreach counselors
• After-school and in-school programs for at-risk youth
• Domestic violence and child abuse counselors
• Ex-offender and parolee employment training and wage incentives

• Oversight

• Requires an annual independent evaluation of police and violence prevention programs
• Requires an annual independent audit of expenditures
• Requires an 11-member oversight committee, with three members appointed by the Mayor and one member appointed by each Councilmember
• The measure will sunset (expire) January 1, 2015.

• Revenue Sources

• Additional $19.9 million dedicated to support new programs and services
• A new dedicated parcel tax will be collected from property owners
  • $88 per single family residence
  • $60.12 per unit, multi-family residential properties
  • $45.07 single family equivalent unit for non-residential; formula based on frontage and square footage (e.g. 80’ frontage = 1 SFE and 6400 sq ft = 1 SFE)
• A parking tax surcharge of 8.5% will be applied to those who park in commercial parking facilities
  • The surcharge revenues may only be used for programs described in the measure
  • Revenues from the existing 10% parking tax will remain in general purpose fund