In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the impact of Measure U, enacted in November 2016, which has generated $100 million for public safety initiatives over the past seven and a half years. Despite the substantial funds collected, concerns were raised regarding the effectiveness of these investments in improving safety within the city.

A council member highlighted that while $90 million of the funds have been allocated, the police department remains approximately 30 officers short of its required staffing levels. The city council had previously passed resolutions designating two-thirds of Measure U funds for police and one-third for the fire department, both of which have utilized the funds for modernization and equipment repairs.

However, the remaining $10 million has not been spent, leading to criticism of the city manager's proposal to reserve these funds as a \"rainy day\" fund. This approach has been deemed a violation of Measure U's provisions and the city council's resolutions, raising questions about the commitment to enhancing public safety through the intended use of these resources. The ongoing debate underscores the challenges faced in effectively utilizing public funds to address community safety needs.