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Police association, city employees and residents urge support for Measure N, citing rising crime and deteriorating streets
Summary
Speakers at Upland's Aug. 29 special meeting urged voters to back Measure N to fund police staffing and major road repairs, citing a claimed 52% increase in robberies and a 2024 pavement plan showing a decline in the city's PCI without new revenue.
Public commenters and city representatives told the Upland City Council on Aug. 29 that Measure N's proposed 1% sales tax is needed to shore up public safety and repair aging infrastructure.
Gabe Garcia, president of the Upland Police Officers Association, said Measure N "will provide the resources needed to hire more police officers and replace outdated equipment." Garcia told the council the measure would help the department respond to rising crime; he asserted that robberies "have increased by 52% from last year." He also urged clear ballot language so voters can make an informed decision.
Philip Estrada, president of the Upland City Employees Association, said UCEA represents City Hall, Public Works and civilian police department employees and voiced full support for the 1-cent tax. Estrada cited recent work by public-works crews, telling the council the city dealt with approximately 2,000 potholes and moved hundreds of tons of asphalt between April 2023 and March 2024; he listed other maintenance activities and said current funding is not sufficient to sustain the work.
A longtime Upland resident who identified himself as a former fire captain also spoke in support of Measure N, urging transparency and saying the measure would help the city retain and recruit first responders. "If we don't keep our city safe, it's gonna come here and take the city of gracious living away," the resident said.
Mayor Pro Tem Brightling outlined findings from the May 2024 draft pavement management plan: "Upland's average pavement condition index, PCI, stands at 61, barely within the fair category and dangerously close to falling into the poor category," Brightling said. He said the plan projects the PCI would fall to about 52 within five years without new revenue and that maintaining current conditions would require roughly $15,400,000 annually; improving to a PCI of 70 would require about $24,870,000 per year. Brightling also noted alleys and parking lots rated worse and said Measure N funds could help address those needs.
Speakers framed Measure N as a combined public-safety and infrastructure funding tool. No opponents spoke in the public comment period recorded in the transcript. Multiple speakers urged the council to provide transparent, specific plans for how any Measure N revenues would be used if voters approve the measure.
