Happy Memorial Day from the Tucson Crime Free Coalition Steering Committee

As we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, we also reflect on the urgent issues confronting our city. This past week has highlighted deep concerns about public safety, accountability, and leadership in Tucson. As this newsletter is being written on May 24th, Tucson is burning and the Cody Fire on the backside of Mt. Lemmon is raging. Resources are spread thin. This is a snapshot of what the future holds.

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Escalating Crime and Leadership Failures

Tucson continues to face a surge in serious criminal activity, and this week was no exception. Meanwhile, concerns about the conduct of elected officials and appointees are growing louder.

Residents were recently shocked to learn that Mayor Regina Romero took a secretive trip to Qatar, which her office attempted to conceal. When pressed, city officials falsely claimed the trip was privately funded. That claim was later debunked where it was exposed that the trip was paid by the Qatar Government, raising further questions about transparency and trust. Qatar has come up in the news lately with the President. What are we to make of this connection?

Tim Steller wrote about what appears as a "sketchy" trip by Mayor Romero paid by the Qatar Government in the AZ Daily Star Today. Here is an excerpt:

"Six days of stories about a Qatari jet had been published when Tucson Mayor Regina Romero took off on a jet headed for Qatar.

The mayor’s trip was a secret at the time.

President Trump’s desire for of a $400 million jet was not.

The juxtaposition of the two stories made the eventual revelation of the mayor’s trip look sketchy.

It’s not that Mayor Romero taking an international trip is necessarily a bad thing. Mayors sometimes travel, hopefully to the benefit of their cities.

What raised eyebrows was that the mayor’s trip was initially a secret, that the city at first gave false information about who paid for it, and that she went to an elite gathering in Qatar of all places, paid for by the Qataris.

As the information dribbled out, eyebrows rose.

Qatar is a country that, in my mind, was synonymous with international bribery and corruption long before the recent Trump-jet episode, in which the president allegedly solicited a new, $400 million Air Force One as a gift. In 2010, Qatar improbably won the right to host the 2022 men’s soccer World Cup. Quickly, accusations arose that they had paid bribes to win it, eventually leading to a U.S. Justice Department indictment.[...] Word of the mayor’s trip began spreading last weekend when the Tucson Police Protective League questioned on Facebook whether her police security detail traveled with her to Phoenix to make the trip abroad."

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL ARTICLE: https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/article_b5964dd1-12e0-42e6-a935-eaa3bc6d81e0.html;

Simultaneously, the recent appointment of Rocque Perez to the Ward 5 City Council seat has sparked outrage. Allegations have emerged that Perez, formerly the director of the Metropolitan Education Commission, had previously produced sexually explicit content on the platform OnlyFans. In most professional settings, particularly in education, this conduct, in most cases, would likely be grounds for resignation and potentially termination. In Tucson, however, despite the presence of numerous highly qualified applicants, he was appointed to represent Southside residents.

Attempted Kidnapping Near Bus Stop at Reid Park Raises Alarm

On May 14, a woman jogging near Reid Park was attacked by 22-year-old King David Rugamba. Rugamba allegedly grabbed the woman from behind, covered her mouth, and tried to drag her away.

She managed to escape and was later treated for a concussion. Rugamba was identified through surveillance footage and DNA evidence and was arrested on May 20.

He now faces charges of aggravated assault and kidnapping. His criminal history is extensive and includes a conviction for evidence tampering in a 2022 homicide case and a weapons misconduct charge. He had been released on a $1,000 bond shortly before this latest attack, a fact that has drawn heavy criticism from law enforcement and public safety advocates.

Nathaniel Foster, president of the Tucson Police Protective League, stated:
"If this guy was in prison, which he should have been, this woman wouldn’t have been harmed… He was initially charged with first-degree murder, pled down to evidence tampering, served about 6 to 7 months, and was released."

Read more: KVOA Article

Fire and Homeless Encampments Near Reid Park

TCFC has received several reports indicating that crime and drug-related activity have increased in and around Reid Park since the closure of Santa Rita Park for renovations. Residents fear that Reid Park may now become a new center of unchecked activity, though it is located in a higher-income area. Historically, the city has allowed encampments in lower-income areas like Estevan Park, 100 Acre Woods, and the now-closed Santa Rita Park.

Not far from the scene of the jogger assault, an abandoned AM/PM at 3102 E. 22nd Street was set on fire. Tucson Fire Department officials confirmed that the blaze was started by homeless individuals. Yet nearly 24 hours later, Mayor Romero released a statement saying the cause of the fire was still under investigation.

This evasive messaging is reminiscent of the Mayor's earlier comments downplaying the safety risks at city bus stops. Residents are growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of honesty and urgency from city leadership.

Watch the footage of the building’s roof collapse here: Video

City Council Candidates Face Off at NAACP Forum

The Tucson NAACP, led by Dr. Meeks, recently hosted the first City Council candidate forum of the election season. The forum offered voters an important opportunity to hear directly from candidates running in Wards 3, 5, and 6.

In Ward 3, Sadie Shaw and incumbent Kevin Dahl appeared. Shaw, who had to leave early to attend a TUSD graduation as she is a current TUSD School Board Member, used her time to criticize the limited hours Dahl maintains for constituent services. Dahl defended his 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. schedule by telling attendees that if they want to see him, they should “make an appointment.” As the only incumbent on stage, Dahl failed to show the assertiveness or effectiveness one might expect from a sitting council member.

Ward 5 candidates Selina Barajas, Christopher Eisner, and Jesse Lugo were present. Lugo called for increased staffing for the Tucson Police Department and greater support for first responders—positions that strongly align with TCFC’s mission.

In Ward 6, candidates Leighton Rockafellow Jr., Miranda Schubert, and Jim Sinex shared their visions for the city, along with Jay Tolkoff, the lone Republican in the race. Schubert reiterated her support for free bus fares, a policy that TCFC continues to oppose due to safety and fiscal concerns. Sinex stood out by calling for an overhaul of Tucson’s outdated election system, including an end to citywide elections, a reform TCFC supports. Tolkoff identified himself as a moderate and explained that he registered as a Republican in January to run in this race. He called for longer office hours for council members and held his own on a stage otherwise occupied by Democrats.

The forum was conducted in a structured and respectful manner, with each candidate given one minute to answer questions. Dr. Meeks did an admirable job moderating the discussion and ensuring all voices were heard.

Property Tax Increase Approved in Tentative County Budget

At its May 20 meeting, the Pima County Board of Supervisors approved the tentative FY 2025–2026 county budget, which includes a property tax rate increase of approximately 3.56 cents per $100 of assessed value. This increase applies to the primary countywide levy and was part of the County Administrator’s recommended spending plan.

The new effective primary tax rate is 5.2317, up from the previous year. Although modest, this increase comes at a time when property valuations are already rising, resulting in higher tax bills for many homeowners.

Affordable Housing Tax Vote Delayed, But Not Dead

On May 20, 2025, the Pima County Board of Supervisors held a contentious discussion over a proposal to impose a property tax increase to fund affordable housing. The proposal, introduced by Supervisor Matt Heinz, would phase in a dedicated 10-year property tax increase starting at 1.5 cents per $100 of assessed value in the first year, increasing to 3 cents for eight years, and tapering off in year ten. Estimated total revenue: $225 million.

While the vote on this item — formally titled Policy D22.17: “Three Cents for Affordable Housing” — was delayed, TCFC believes it is critical that taxpayers understand the direction this board is headed.

What’s in the Proposal

Supervisor Heinz’s plan seeks to create a stable revenue stream for affordable housing programs including:
• New unit construction
• Preservation of existing stock
• Homelessness prevention

TCFC is deeply concerned that this new tax increase has been brought forward without a binding implementation plan, guaranteed outcomes, or sunset protections. What starts as “three cents” may become far more burdensome for working families and seniors over time.

Supervisor Christy Sounds the Alarm

Supervisor Steve Christy, representing District 4, delivered the most forceful opposition:

“Affordable housing means being able to buy a house. This is publicly funded rental housing subsidized by taxpayers and built by out-of-state developers. This isn’t what people think of when they hear ‘affordable housing.’”

He continued:
“Our seniors — who have paid off their homes — are effectively now renters to the government. Their property tax bill is a rental payment to subsidize someone else’s housing.”

Christie also questioned whether the county even has the legal authority to fund housing programs, citing Arizona Revised Statute 11-251, which does not grant counties explicit powers to do so.

TCFC Concerns

From the perspective of the Tucson Crime Free Coalition, this proposal is problematic on multiple levels:

• Lack of Core Service Prioritization: Public safety, road repair, and infrastructure remain underfunded while new housing initiatives receive attention.
• No Direct Voter Input: A 10-year tax hike should go to the ballot, not be imposed by board vote.
• Disregard for Property Owners: Many homeowners are already burdened by inflation, reassessments, and school overrides.

What Happens Next

The vote on Policy D22.17 has been postponed to June 3, 2025. TCFC urges all concerned citizens to contact their supervisor before then and demand a public vote, not a backroom deal.

TCFC will continue to monitor and report on this issue. We believe in supporting our vulnerable neighbors — but not through unaccountable, open-ended tax hikes that sidestep core services and voter consent.

Tucson Remains at a Crossroads

Tucson stands at a critical inflection point. As wildfires rage, crime surges, and public trust in leadership erodes, we are left asking: who is truly looking out for the residents of this city?

While Mayor Romero jets off to international conferences and her council appointees face scandal, Tucson neighborhoods are grappling with unchecked violence, arson, and encampments taking root in public parks. Residents are told they’re safe while bus stop attacks and attempted kidnappings go unaddressed. At the same time, the County Board of Supervisors is advancing tax increases that will further burden homeowners already squeezed by inflation and rising property valuations, all while failing to guarantee that essential services like law enforcement and infrastructure will be prioritized.

From shadowy backroom appointments to tone-deaf tax hikes, Tucsonans are being asked to give more while receiving less. We are seeing a disturbing pattern: elected leaders ignoring core responsibilities in favor of ideological experiments and political favors.

The Tucson Crime Free Coalition will continue to shine a light on the missteps and mismanagement that threaten our city’s future. We will advocate fiercely for accountability, transparency, and public safety because Tucson deserves better. We deserve leadership that solves problems instead of creating new ones.

This Memorial Day, let us honor the sacrifice of those who gave everything for our freedoms by demanding the kind of leadership worthy of their legacy.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay vocal.
Tucson Crime Free Coalition Steering Committee
TucsonCrimeFree.com | help@tucsoncrimefree.com