Disconnect & Chaos: Council Votes - A Step Forward and Two Steps Back
The Conversation We Need to Have: Public Safety, Spending Priorities & Mayor and Council Accountability
At the March 18th, 2025 Tucson Mayor and Council meeting, the public got a clear look at the mounting disconnect between city leadership and the lived experiences of Tucson residents. The meeting centered around proposed ordinance amendments in response to the passage of Proposition 312, dealing with prohibited activity on traffic medians and camping in parks and washes. What unfolded was a familiar story: confusion, frustration, and missed opportunities.
Mayor Regina Romero, visibly disheartened by the failure of Proposition 414, stated multiple times, “I’m very perplexed by the voting patterns of our community.” While noting that Prop 312 passed with 54% support in Pima County, the Mayor questioned why residents weren’t equally supportive of continued investment in low-barrier shelters and housing programs. The real question might be: where is the return on the investment?
Watch this VIDEO of residents asking for enforcement:
(CLICK ON PICTURE or LINK below)
Council Votes: A Step Forward and Two Steps Back
The City Council broke the ordinance updates into three separate votes:
✅ Sec. 20-502 – Prohibited Activity on Traffic Medians: Passed. This is a win, and something TCFC and our supporters have been advocating for. Panhandling on busy medians is dangerous—for drivers and pedestrians alike. In December 2024, TCFC, along with advocacy and labor groups, sent a letter respectfully asking for enforcement and the placement of signs similar to those TCFC successfully had installed on Pima County medians. We never received a response. We’re glad this finally passed, but we know the City has a history of passing ordinances it refuses to enforce. We would be ecstatic to see our medians clean and streets become safer for both drivers and pedestrians.
❌ Camping in Public Parks and Washes: Both Failed. The votes on Sec. 11-51 (camping in washes) and the amendment to Secs. 21-1 and 21-3 (camping in parks) failed with a 3-3 tie. Councilmembers Cunningham, Dahl, and Santa Cruz opposed the changes. The excuse? “Where will people go?” A better question: where can families go without stepping over needles, trash, and human waste in their own neighborhoods?
Then there was Councilman Fimbres’ vote. Due to audio issues with his remote participation, his vote wasn’t recorded—even though it was clear to many watching that he was trying to engage. Councilmember Cunningham asked for a reconsideration “if Richard is awake,” and Mayor Romero questioned whether he was “paying attention.” These comments were unfortunate.
Councilman Fimbres has served Tucson for many years and is currently dealing with health challenges. We wish him strength and a full recovery. At the same time, this moment underscores an important truth: elected officials must be able to fully participate and represent their constituents. When health or technology becomes a barrier to that duty, it’s time for thoughtful conversations—not out of criticism, but out of respect for the office and the people it serves.
Follow the Money: Where Did the ARPA Funds Go?
TCFC has called for an immediate audit of the City Budget, ARPA funds, and all state and federal grants.
Here’s what we know:
• Tucson received $136 million in ARPA money.
• $53.5 million—almost 40%—went to parks, public art, and climate projects under “Community Reinvestment and Recovery.”
• Only $10.1 million went to actual relief for families, workers, and businesses.
• Just $1.1 million supported workforce development.
Worse? Millions went toward pet projects that have little to no connection to emergency pandemic recovery. Like $300,000 for solar panels on just 15 low-income homes. That’s $20,000 per home—a luxury, not a necessity. The City did not hide expenditures like this, KGUN9 even reported on it. Many of us simply were not paying attention, but now we are. TCFC believes we have to prioritize the needs of the entire community.
Even more concerning, the City used ARPA funds to create permanent full-time positions. The result? A bloated budget the City can’t sustain. During the Prop 414 debate, City Manager Tim Thomure stated that hundreds of positions could be lost if federal funds are frozen or dry up. This isn’t fiscal planning—it’s reckless spending. Had the City of Tucson prioritized properly we would not be in this position.
This Isn’t Compassion. It’s Chaos.
The Tucson Crime Free Coalition believes in solutions grounded in accountability, enforcement, and public safety—not performative policies and unchecked spending. Tucsonans aren’t heartless—we believe in helping those in need. But compassion without accountability only fuels the crisis.
We’ve reached a breaking point. Businesses are suffering. Families feel unsafe. Taxpayers are ignored. And city leaders are more focused on managing public perception than managing our city.
The situation at Broadway and Swan with homeless in the medians has become unsafe and encouraged panhandlers to store enormous piles of their belongings on the sidewalks and in front of businesses while they panhandle. Additionally, at night and on weekends businesses along the 4800 block of E. Broadway are continually plagued with criminal damage to property including theft, vandalism and littering. My expenses to secure my property are going to be deducted from my business taxes per 312.
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