Measure K: A Measure for Public Safety

Back in June, Kings County’s Measure K narrowly missed being passed by a mere 70 votes. Because it is a special tax, a two-thirds vote is needed to pass this measure. Measure K is making an appearance on the ballot this November, as proponents once again will try to get it passed.

Supporters say if it passes, the measure would give $4 million dollars to local public safety. They say this is not a new tax but a redirection of the money from state to local.

“When an officer has to transport to Kings County jail that is forty miles away, at times this leaves one officer in town, says Avenal Police Chief Rusty Stievers. “And this is not safe for the officers or the community.”

Stievers says he plans on using the money from Measure K to add to his staff and put more officers on duty.

Assistant Fire Chief Rick Smith says not only would the money benefit local law enforcement, but it would also go to firefighting services.

“The fire department is going to use money from Measure K to add personnel,” Smith says. “We’re going to add six personnel to the department so that stations that are staffed with only one person, we will be able to double the staffing at those stations to two people. This will be safer for our firefighters and our community.”

Lemoore Police Chief Darrell Smith says most stations only have one firefighter on duty at a time right now.

“It is a rare opportunity to have that money stay local without putting an extra burden on taxpayers,” Darrell Smith says. “They will keep paying what they are paying at seven and a half percent.”