Union City Voters to Decide on Public Safety Measure Extension

UNION CITY, CA — Union City voters will decide whether to continue to fund public safety services after City Council Members voted unanimously on Tuesday to place a measure on the November ballot. Taxes will not be increased if the measure passes.

The Public Safety Services Extension Measure is designed to maintain emergency response times and paramedic services, neighborhood police patrols, youth violence prevention and gang intervention programs, safety at Union City public schools, fire protection services and will keep Union City fire stations open full time.

If the extension measure is not renewed, Union City will have to consider cuts to community and neighborhood policing, youth and family services, and partially close fire stations throughout the City, potentially increasing emergency response times, according to the City.

“Thanks to our community, UCPD, and Youth and Family Services working together, incidents of youth violence have decreased by 30 percent between 2012 and 2015,” said Union City Police Chief Darryl McAllister. “If the measure extension is not enacted, youth violence and gang prevention programs will have to be cut.”

“If enacted, the Measure will renew the public’s investment to maintain rapid response times for fire and emergency services, police patrols that keep our neighborhoods safe, and youth crime prevention services – without increasing tax rates,” said City Manager Tony Acosta.

The extension measure continues to include strict accountability provisions, including independent financial audits and yearly reports to the community to ensure all funds are spent as promised.

More information about the Union City Public Safety Services Extension Measure is available online.

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