Op-Ed: Why Downey needs Measure D now more than ever

As someone who’s had the honor of serving Downey for eight years on the City Council, including two terms as mayor, I know how much this community can accomplish when we work together. As a Chaplain for the Downey Police Department for 22 years, I’ve also seen the challenges our officers and firefighters face daily, doing more with less, all while maintaining the high standards we’ve come to expect.

Today, I’m urging my fellow Downey residents to join me in voting “yes” on Measure D.

I’ll admit, I don’t take raising taxes lightly. I don’t normally support tax increases, but this is different. Measure D is a targeted, quarter-cent sales tax increase that will generate the funds Downey needs to improve public safety. It will allow us to hire more police officers, expand resources for our fire department, and address critical public safety needs—right here in Downey. It will not tax our homes, our properties, our groceries or prescription medication. And as an example, for a four-dollar cup of coffee it would only cost an additional penny.

Let’s talk about why this is so important. Downey is growing, and with growth comes a greater demand on city services. Our police and fire departments are already stretched thin, trying to serve a larger population with the same resources they’ve had for years. Measure D will directly impact our ability to provide the kind of rapid, reliable emergency response our residents deserve. Whether it’s preventing crime or responding to a fire or medical emergency, Measure D ensures we have the personnel and resources we need on the front lines.

Measure D isn’t just about safety; it’s about control. If Measure D doesn’t pass, there’s a very real chance that Los Angeles County will impose the same quarter-cent tax increase countywide, meaning those funds would go to the county rather than staying local. The difference? If we vote “yes” on Measure D, we keep that revenue under local control, ensuring it benefits Downey directly, rather than getting lost in the vast county budget. We all know the county’s priorities are different from ours, and it’s up to us to protect our community’s interests.

I raised my family here in Downey, my grandkids are being raised here and this community is and will continue to be my home. Like all of you, I want to ensure Downey remains a safe, vibrant, and welcoming place—not only for our families today but for generations to come. When I think of Downey’s future, I see a community that has invested in its own safety, resilience, and success. Measure D is that investment, and it’s a small price to pay for what we’ll gain in return. We are special, having our own police and fire departments (and yes, our own school district). It is important to continue to properly staff them and give them the tools they need to protect us.

Some may ask, “Why not use the existing budget?” As someone who has seen how city budgets work up close (I served on the Budget Sub Committee for 8 years), I can tell you we’re already running a tight ship. Our city leaders have done an admirable job stretching every dollar, but without new funding, painful and difficult decisions will need to be made in regards to our budget. This isn’t about increasing spending for the sake of it—it’s about addressing the real, immediate needs that will impact our safety and quality of life. Now and in our future.

Now is the time to invest in Downey. This is a crossroads, where we can choose to secure a safer future, or we can allow this opportunity to slip away, risking not only our safety but our ability to shape Downey’s path forward. I ask each of you to consider what Measure D will mean for our community: improved public safety, more police officers, faster response times, and a safer environment for our families. Please inform yourself on what this will mean for Downey and make sure the negativity of those less informed do not distract us.

I’m voting yes on Measure D because I believe in Downey and its people. I believe we deserve the best in public safety and emergency response, and I believe we should keep our tax dollars right here, where they belong. For the future of our families, our neighbors, and our community, I urge you to join me. Please vote yes on Measure D.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on my cell phone at 562-706-4114 or email me at Mario@Guerrains.com. I may also be reached at www.marioaguerra.com