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The Tacoma City Council unanimously passed Resolution 41197, allocating $300,000 for youth summer programming to combat gun violence among young people. The funding will support the establishment of safe zones and expanded programming for middle and high school students, reflecting a collaborative effort to address the urgent issue of youth violence in the community.
Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards announced a mid-year analysis highlighting an 18.1% reduction in violent crime and a 25% drop in property crime in 2023, despite 15 homicides. The mayor emphasized the importance of community collaboration in developing a comprehensive Community Safety Strategy, which will incorporate community input and is expected to be finalized by year-end.
Council Member Keith Blocker expressed strong support for the passage of Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5080, aimed at reforming the Cannabis Social Equity Program in Washington. The bill addresses the historical inequities faced by communities of color in the cannabis industry, ensuring fair licensing opportunities for all stakeholders.
DoorDash has partnered with the City of Tacoma to launch the DoorDash Community Credits program, aimed at enhancing food security for local residents. This initiative, supported by Mayor Victoria Woodards, focuses on providing resources for nutrition and grocery shopping, particularly benefiting underserved communities. By collaborating with the private sector, the program seeks to address critical issues in the local economy and housing market.
The Tacoma Mall Greening Project, funded by a USDA grant, aimed to enhance tree canopy and water quality in the Tacoma Mall Neighborhood from November 2018 to April 2023. Emphasizing community engagement and green stormwater infrastructure, the project sought to address urban development challenges while promoting health benefits linked to green spaces. The final report offers insights and methodologies that other communities can adopt to integrate green infrastructure effectively.
Mayor Victoria Woodards commended law enforcement for their efforts in indicting 27 individuals linked to a major drug trafficking organization associated with the Aryan Family, a white supremacy group. The operation, announced by U.S. Attorney Nick Brown, signifies a substantial step in combating drug-related crime in Tacoma and surrounding areas. This collaborative effort reflects a commitment to community safety and the removal of illegal activities from local streets.
The 2023 State of the City address will be held at Mount Tahoma High School, featuring Tacoma's Mayor Victoria Woodards, who will outline the city's vision and priorities for the coming year. This event emphasizes community engagement and showcases local initiatives like Building Tomorrow and government transparency through American Sign Language interpretation.
The State of the City address, led by Mayor Victoria Woodards, will take place on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Mount Tahoma High School. This event will focus on critical community issues such as affordable housing and homelessness, reflecting the city's response to challenges posed by the pandemic. Residents are encouraged to participate and engage with local government initiatives.
The Tacoma City Council has issued a letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson on the one-year anniversary of Manuel Ellis’ death, advocating for the prioritization of the ongoing investigation into the case. The Council expresses empathy for the Ellis family and urges for a timely and thorough review to restore trust in investigations of deaths in police custody across Washington state.
Pierce County Council Chair Ryan Mello and Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards expressed their disappointment over the delayed completion of the ST3 light rail project, now pushed to 2035 due to planning issues. They are working on interim solutions to address immediate transportation needs for Pierce County residents, emphasizing the importance of reliable public transportation.