2025 Progress Report

• 40 Gresham Police positions were paid for through the local option levy in the 2024-2025 budget.
• 33 positions Gresham Fire positions were paid for through the local option levy in the 2024-2025 budget.
• The levy collected $12,549,898 in Year 1, which spanned July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025. During that time, the amount collected $98,010 in interest. Together, Police and Fire spent $11,094,890, leaving a total unaudited cash balance of $1,553,018 as of June 30, 2025.
• The Gresham Police Department added five Community Safety Specialist (CSS) positions and, as of November 2025, had four of the total six positions filled, allowing the department to focus on managing more serious crime issues.
• The Rockwood Public Safety Facility — often referred to informally as the “Rockwood Police Station” — reopened thanks to the additional Community Safety Specialists hired through the Fire and Police Levy. The station’s presence helps rebuild relationships between the police department and the community, particularly in one of Gresham’s most diverse and high-need neighborhoods.
• Gresham Fire added nine new first responder positions and two fire inspector positions, filling these positions with graduates of two Fire Academies hosted this year. Those graduates are now on the line serving the community.
• The Fire Marshal’s Office was able to revive its School Safety Inspection program. Resuming the program, which had been dormant since 2009 due to staffing shortages, was considered a top priority for the community upon the successful passage of the levy.
• With increased staffing, the Gresham Fire Department is now able to fully staff Engine and Rescue 72, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in east Gresham. This station had previously operated with reduced staffing and operability. The rescue vehicle itself was paid for through federal ARPA funds.
• By November 2025, the Fire Marshal’s Office had conducted 31 school safety inspections across multiple school districts and will conduct more than 70 of these inspections before the end of the 2025/26 school year.

Read about the many ways the levy has impacted Gresham's citizens during its first year. 

Levy goals

• Fewer crimes and fires
• Faster emergency response times
• Safer neighborhoods, stronger community foundation

Fire Department

• Two fire academies (including one currently in progress)
• Seven firefighter/paramedics hired
• 23 schools inspected since levy passage (of 73)
• One rescue vehicle added, with levy-funded, full-time staffing support starting in July 2025. *Vehicle purchased with non-levy funds
• 26% share of lower-priority, citizen-initiated calls the new Rescue has already taken off Engine 72’s call burden. *Rescue not yet in full service

Police Department

• 12 new police officers in various stages of training to fill vacant positions. *July 2024-May 2025
• Four new police officers completed training and serving the community on patrol. *July 2024-May2025
• Five community safety specialists provide seven-days-per-week support
  • Expanded coverage for police reports (phone and online)
  • Support for patrol for crash-scene traffic control, park outreach, mission support, etc.

Oversight and transparency

• Seven Public Safety Levy Advisory Subcommittee members appointed