AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. – A public safety levy funding an expansion to the Airway Heights Police Department was on track to fail based upon initial election results Tuesday night.
The levy would have increased the city’s property tax levy by $1.00 per every $1,000 of assessed property value.
According to the Airway Heights City Council’s voter pamphlet submission for the levy, calls to the local police department have increased by 133% in the last five years.
“Many non-violent crimes like stolen property, auto theft, vandalism and traffic violations go unanswered unless an officer is available,” the council submission said.
Airway Heights currently employs 14 patrol officers. The department claims that several patrol vehicles are nearing the end of their lifecycle and need to be replaced in addition to the need to hire more officers.
If the levy fails, the department will continue to work with sparse resources.
