Community Safety Updates 

At our June 17 City Council Study Session, we discussed several important updates related to public safety in Tacoma that included both the Tacoma Fire Department and the Tacoma Police Department. 

Tacoma Fire Department 

At the Study Session, we discussed exploring the potential of creating a Regional Fire Authority to enhance how we fund and deliver fire services in our community. This model could provide greater flexibility and stability in addressing the long-term needs of our Fire Department.  

We also learned that the City has the opportunity to purchase two new fire engines, which could be in service by the end of this year. Given the typical multi-year delay in acquiring these vehicles, this is a significant and timely investment, especially in light of the concerns raised during last year’s discussions around the fire levy. 

Chief Patti Jackson briefed the City Council on our continued efforts to fill vacant, fully funded police officer positions. We remain approximately 20 officers short. To help close this gap, Chief Jackson is proposing a lateral hiring incentive structure aimed at attracting experienced officers from other jurisdictions. This approach is a strategic way to ensure we can meet our staffing goals and maintain public safety across our city and help us move toward our long-term goal of a fully staffed Tacoma Police Department. 

If you would like to learn more about the regional fire authority, the new engines or the lateral hiring bonus, I invite you to watch the June 17 Study Session. 

Keeping Kids Active and Engaged This Summer 

As a teacher and parent, I know summer can sometimes be a tough time to keep kids busy and learning. That’s why I want to highlight two great programs happening in Tacoma this summer for students and families: 

Summer Teen Late Nights 

Starting June 23, middle and high school students can take part in Summer Teen Late Nights. Locations across Tacoma will stay open Monday through Friday, from 5 PM to 10 PM. These spaces offer fun, free activities and dinner for teens so they can spend time together and stay active. 

Learn more and register for Summer Teen Late Nights 

Don’t Miss Tacoma Reads 2025 

Caring for Tacoma’s Animals: Finalizing Animal Control Code Updates

During the past year, I’ve found myself diving deep into an issue I never imagined would become one of my biggest projects, updating Tacoma’s animal control code. What began as a policy discussion has turned into a personal commitment to ensuring our city better supports the animals we care for, and the people who love them. 

On June 10, the City Council adopted a set of updates to our animal control code aimed at addressing the rising challenge of animal overpopulation and the strain it places on shelters and city services.  

These are common-sense updates that will help ensure fewer animals end up in shelters and more pets remain healthy, safe, and in loving homes. Our community made this possible: thank you to every resident who reached out, shared a story, or gave input along the way.  

A special thank you as well to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County, whose partnership has been invaluable. I’m committed to continuing this work with community members and advocates to ensure Tacoma remains a place where everyone, including our pets, can thrive and find a home. 

As a parent of students at the Grant Center for the Expressive Arts, and as someone who loves this city, I’m always inspired by Tacoma’s deep commitment to the arts. Whether it's murals on neighborhood walls, live music on porches, or poetry and dance shared in public spaces, the arts are one of the most visible and joyful ways we show our love for our community. 

This summer, the Tacoma Arts Commission awarded $100,000 to 25 local artists through the Tacoma Artists Initiative Program. These artists come from every corner of our city and will be producing new work across many disciplines—music, dance, visual art, film, writing, and more. Each project includes a free public event or program, giving all of us the chance to connect through creativity and culture. These artists are shaping the future of Tacoma's creative life, and I hope you’ll keep an eye out for their upcoming events. 

Another exciting opportunity is happening at the Tacoma Dome, where the City and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians are partnering on a new public art installation. This project will honor the Tribe’s stories and Lushootseed language, and create a welcoming, permanent piece at one of our city’s most iconic landmarks. Artists have been invited to propose bold, meaningful works using durable materials like murals, carved wood, or metalwork. It’s a powerful reminder of how public spaces can reflect our shared values and history. 

And finally, I want to give a big shout-out to one of my favorite summer traditions: Tacoma Porchfest. Thanks to support from the City Council and community partners, Porchfest will return in 2025 as a two-day festival in Central Tacoma and the North End. It’s fun, family-friendly, free to attend, and one of the most Tacoma things you can experience. Tacoma Porchfest is happening July 12-13! 

From citywide celebrations to neighborhood shows, the arts continue to strengthen our connections and lift up the unique spirit of Tacoma. I hope you’ll get out this summer to enjoy and support the amazing creative work happening all around us. 

Building Stronger Neighborhoods Together 

One of the things I’ve always believed in is that the people who live in our neighborhoods are the best ones to help shape their future. That’s why I was proud to help launch Tacoma’s Neighborhood Planning Program alongside former Council Members Catherine Ushka and Conor McCarthy. From McKinley Hill to Proctor to South Tacoma, this program has shown what’s possible when residents come together to create a shared vision for where they live. 

This summer, we marked a major milestone with the adoption of the South Tacoma Neighborhood Plan. This plan was built from the ground up, with input from more than 1,300 community members—youth, families, business owners, and long-time residents. The result is a clear, community-driven roadmap focused on things like safer streets, better health, economic opportunity, and stronger neighborhood identity. And just as important, it includes quick-impact projects like tree planting and public events that are already making a visible difference in the lives of South Tacoma residents.  

While I’m saddened that this innovative program is coming to an end for now, I believe it has proven the power of community-led change. These neighborhood plans didn’t just gather ideas, they delivered real results, from the McKinley Overlook to new art and green spaces in Proctor and South Tacoma. I remain hopeful that we’ll find ways to bring neighborhood planning back in the future. In the meantime, I’ll keep working to center community voices and make sure every neighborhood has the tools to grow, thrive, and reflect the people who call it home.

Representing Tacoma at the Association of Washington Cities Conference

This past month, I had the opportunity to attend the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Annual Conference in Kennewick. I currently serve on AWC’s Executive Board and Legislative Priorities Committee, where I help shape the statewide advocacy efforts that support cities like Tacoma. Being part of AWC has given me the chance to work closely with other elected leaders and state legislators on important issues like housing, public safety, infrastructure, and more. 

AWC has been a great partner and a strong return on investment for Tacoma. Many of the ideas we’ve brought to life here, like Pothole Palooza, Tidy-Up Tacoma and new approaches to homelessness and housing, started with conversations and shared learning through AWC. These gatherings are not just a time to listen, but a time to share Tacoma’s successes and challenges, and to bring back fresh ideas that we can apply right here at home. 

As always, I’m returning from this conference energized and full of ideas from across the state, ready to keep working with all of you to make Tacoma stronger, safer, and more connected.