Vancouver voters reject property tax increase to fund more police. What could it mean for Portland?

Voters in Vancouver last week rejected a ballot measure that would have increased property taxes to fund more police officers at a time when departments nationwide are trying different strategies to boost staffing.

Roughly 52% of 80,000 people voted against Proposition 4 , which would have increased the city's property tax levy by 5% each year for six years. The funding would have added 80 sworn officers and 36 non-sworn police employees. A police advisory committee, made up of 13 community members and three elected city leaders, recommended the proposition, saying population growth has contributed to increased reported crimes and call volumes since 2018.