Oroville to add firefighters and police presence; ladder truck and engines on order

City leaders told attendees at the April 28 State of the City that they have purchased major fire equipment and are increasing police staffing to expand proactive patrols.

City Administrator Brian Ring said recent grant awards and CDBG funding helped secure a ladder truck and two Type 1 fire engines. "This grant funded those 2 pieces of equipment... That's over 3 point $3,100,000," Ring said while reviewing public-safety capital. He added that one engine is expected to arrive in September.

Ring and other speakers described several public-safety initiatives: a proposed second public safety facility on the western side of the city near the airport to reduce response times in newly developing areas; traffic signal preemption to allow emergency vehicles to clear intersections quickly; and the creation of specialized units such as a traffic and public nuisance unit.

On policing, Ring said staffing has improved substantially since the chief's hire. "Brought staffing levels from 60% to 94 95%." He said the administration will seek to add at least two more officers in the next fiscal-year budget and expand foot, bike and park patrols. The city also is exploring a downtown police substation and the construction of a replacement evidence facility.

Officials noted some of the new equipment is Measure U-funded or purchased with grant assistance and emphasized that both staffing and capital additions are being balanced against constrained operating revenues.

The State of the City program also recorded a formal agenda adoption at the meeting start (5-0 vote; two members absent). The council continues outreach and grant-seeking to pay for additional public-safety infrastructure and staffing.