Measure E is a parcel tax that raises $5.1 million annually to help fund our PVE police department. It required 66.7% to pass and was approved in 2018 with 69% of PVE residents voting yes. While these funds were critically important, it was always known it was never sufficient to meet the need for our City resources.

PVE is facing a growing budget shortfall due to rising costs, inflation, and the expiration of the exiting funding measure (Measure E). If no action is taken, the City projects a $10–12 million annual deficit, putting essential public safety and maintenance at risk of cuts. To read more about the City budget, please visit their website at: https://www.pvestates.org/government/city-manager/community-town-halls.

Measure E is set to expire in 2027, and a renewal measure put on the ballot by the City would not provide sufficient funding to meet the needs of our community.  If Measure E is not renewed, the City would have to consider significant cuts to services that would impact every resident in PVE.   

The recent Los Angeles fires remind us that Palos Verdes Estates has terrain very similar to Pacific Palisades, including 28% of city land being open space. Renewing and increasing Measure E would provide our city with sufficient funding to protect our local police department, firefighters and life-saving equipment as well as funding to provide weed abatement and reduce other fire hazards.

PVE Residents for a Safe, Secure Future is a grassroots coalition of neighbors committed to protecting our community. Our goal is to bring residents together and submit a citizens’ initiative to renew and Increase Measure E to cover all public safety services (both police and fire) before it expires, to ensure Palos Verdes Estates continues to be a safe and secure place to live.

The benefit to our community would be locally controlled funding that could only be used to:  

- Retain our independent police department and fund fire protection services

- Reduce wildfire risk through proactive brush and weed abatement

- Preserve fast, reliable 911 emergency response and disaster preparedness

- Maintain our city’s financial stability

- Help prevent thefts, home burglaries and maintain public safety

One option being considered would be to extend Measure E at a rate of $998 per parcel, plus 68¢ per square foot of building foot, which would generate $16.4 million annually to fund police and fire services.

The citizen’s imitative would be structured so that the renewal measure would include:

- Public disclosure of all spending

- Independent annual audits

- Oversight from a local citizens committee

- Local control of all funds—none can be taken by the State or County

No. While it is a common question, past studies have shown that contracting with the LASD does not offer long term savings. In fact, currently, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority is re-establishing their own in house Transit Police Department due to the ever increasing LASD/LAPD contract costs and lack of control over preventive patrols and deployment.

Contracting with LASD in PVE would no doubt result in a lack of local control, decreased community presence, and increased response times. Maintaining our own Police Department has consistently been a priority for PVE residents.

By law, cities and public agencies are prohibited from using public resources to campaign for or against ballot measures. While the City can provide factual, impartial information about what the measure would do and what services it affects, it cannot advocate for your vote.

That’s why PVE Residents for a Safe, Secure Future stepped up. We are residents and your neighbors who care about protecting local services.

We are currently in the community input and education phase as we build our coalition to begin signature gathering to place the citizen’s initiative on the June 2026 ballot—giving voters a chance to act before Measure E expires in 2027.

To learn more, ask questions, or volunteer, contact us at pvefuture.com.