Growing, thriving cities know they have to invest in themselves in order to continue growing and thriving. And that includes making key investments in infrastructure like roads and bridges, quality-of-life amenities such as parks and recreation, and public safety, including support for first responders and critical safety programs.
While all of these initiatives are vital to maintaining a city of our size, continued investments in safety are paramount. As a business owner and lifelong resident of Little Rock, one of my key concerns is ensuring our residents and visitors alike continue to feel safe and that we keep up the great momentum we've been building.
Over the past five years, Little Rock's violent crime rate has gone down 6 percent and homicides have dropped by an impressive 34 percent. This is all thanks to the dedication of our police and fire departments, who have repeatedly used decreasing resources to do more with less.
Even though violent crime is down, we are seeing far too many incidents in our city center and in our neighborhoods. We must continue to drive down all crime in our city. Fortunately, we now have the chance to help our brave men and women do even better and push Little Rock crime rates to an all-time low.
On Nov. 5, Little Rock residents will have the chance to vote "for" a proposed 5/8th-cent sales tax increase, which will result in more than $100 million to provide better financial support for public safety and to improve the well-being of our families, neighborhoods and businesses. Voting "for" means we can invest in the critical resources our first responders need to continue their efforts and strengthen the safety net they provide.
Both the 5/8th-cent sales tax increase and its companion 3/8th-cent increase will generate funding for multiple resources and programs that ensure our city is growing and vibrant. But the heart of this proposal is public safety. Little Rock police officers and firefighters are on the front lines every day, often limited by outdated technology and equipment. The proposed sales tax increase will address these limitations by providing the funding necessary to upgrade tools, improve response times and expand community-based safety programs.
For instance, the Little Rock Police Department will receive $30 million for technology upgrades, including improvements to the Real-Time Crime Center, a critical camera-connected security initiative. This will enhance coordination during emergencies and allow officers to respond more quickly to incidents across the city. With these upgrades, the department will be better equipped to maintain the progress made in reducing crime rates.
One of the major challenges facing our public safety teams is the aging fleet of vehicles. Many public safety vehicles have logged more than 150,000 miles, often in harsh conditions, making it harder for first responders to arrive quickly to emergencies. With $50 million allocated to replacing outdated police and fire vehicles and equipment, we can ensure our public servants are not hindered by faulty tools when every second counts. Better-equipped police and fire teams will mean faster response times, more efficient operations, and, ultimately, more lives saved.
Beyond upgrading tools, this tax proposal includes a more community-oriented approach to safety. An additional $15 million will be dedicated to expanding community policing and crisis response teams, both proven strategies for reducing crime and building trust between law enforcement and the public. If approved, the city can expand its community resource officers from three to 15, strengthening relationships in neighborhoods throughout Little Rock. These officers focus on building trust within communities, creating an environment where public safety is a shared responsibility between law enforcement and residents.
Our city's crisis response team--an essential service focusing on individuals experiencing mental health challenges--will see its resources doubled. Currently, many crisis calls happen in the evenings, outside the team's working hours. Expanding this service will provide 24/7 coverage, ensuring that people in need receive appropriate care at all times. As Police Chief Heath Helton has noted, addressing mental health issues head-on can prevent escalations, ease the strain on the police force and create a safer, more compassionate community.
Additionally, the Little Rock Fire Department (LRFD) will receive $8 million to operate a new fire station in west Little Rock, where rapid growth has created a critical need for enhanced emergency response capabilities. Another $5 million will be dedicated to improving existing fire stations and equipment, ensuring the department maintains its industry-leading ISO Class 1 rating, which helps keep property insurance rates low for homeowners and businesses across the city.
The recent reduction in violent crime and homicides is an encouraging trend, but to keep that momentum going, we must invest in the infrastructure and people who have made it possible. Our police and fire departments have delivered for us; now let's deliver for them.
The benefits of this tax proposal go beyond public safety. Voting "for" the combined 1-cent tax increase will allow additional investment in public infrastructure, parks and the Port of Little Rock, ensuring that as our city grows, it becomes an even better place to live, work and visit. These investments are designed for long-term growth, helping Little Rock continue to attract businesses, families and visitors for years to come. It's simple, really: Growing cities must invest in themselves in order to continue to grow.
While no one enjoys paying more in taxes, this is a balanced and necessary step to secure a brighter future for Little Rock. The proposal has the support of the city board and has received endorsements from the Little Rock unions representing police officers and firefighters. Unlike property taxes, sales taxes allow visitors and tourists to share in the cost of maintaining our city's services. When people come to work, shop, or play in Little Rock, they'll contribute to our safety and infrastructure, not just use our resources.
It's also worth noting that even with the proposed increase, Little Rock's sales tax rate will remain below that of neighboring cities like Conway (9.1 percent), Benton (9.4 percent), North Little Rock (9.5 percent), Bryant (9.9 percent) and Cabot (10 percent). In fact, most communities in Arkansas invest in themselves at a higher rate than we do.
In the end, this tax proposal is about more than just numbers. It's about building a Little Rock where families feel safe, businesses thrive, and communities grow. Admittedly I did not vote for recent sales tax increases because the timing wasn't right, nor did I believe previous efforts included enough transparency. But after reviewing the current proposals and talking with city leadership, I now understand more about where Little Rock is currently and where we are headed, and I'm convinced that the time is right to vote in favor of the one-cent sales tax increase.
A "for" vote twice on Nov. 5 demonstrates support for a safer, stronger Little Rock. Let's give our public safety teams the resources they need to continue their excellent work and ensure that our city remains a place we're all proud to call home.