Portland’s fire and police unions are promoting a city ballot initiative campaign to add 400 more police officers to the existing force of about 800. It would fund that by redirecting 25% of the revenue from the city’s existing 1% tax on corporate retailers.
Right now the tax — approved by voters in 2018 —pays for a grant program that fund projects related to climate change. The tax is raising $200 million a year — more than three times the $60 million a year voters were told to expect.
Meanwhile Portland ranks 48th among the 50 largest U.S. cities in police per capita, with 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents, half the national average.
The initiative’s backers will have to raise 40,437 valid signatures by July 6 in order for the measure to appear on the November 2026 ballot. Public safety unions are calling on supporters to go to saferportland.com. There, visitors can read the measure, find locations to sign in person, or print, sign, and mail petitions to campaign headquarters.
