Public Safety
Reimagining Public Safety Through Smart Investment
Christian will advocate for the Board to reform how El Paso County uses Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) revenue to support programs that actually prevent crime and build safer communities. His plan includes
Homelessness Prevention & Outreach
Homelessness is both a humanitarian crisis and a public safety concern. When people are forced to live on the streets, it increases their vulnerability to violence, illness, and trauma, while placing strain on emergency services and public spaces.
Christian’s Proposal: Allocate $3 million annually in PSST funds to support:
24/7 emergency shelters and housing navigation services
Behavioral health and case management outreach teams
Safe public sanitation and hygiene infrastructure
And Housing-First homelessness reduction programs
The Justification: These programs directly reduce street homelessness, improve outcomes for vulnerable populations, prevent avoidable calls to law enforcement, and help to keep all of our residents safer.
Youth Violence Prevention & Intervention
Preventing crime before it happens starts with investing in young people. Early intervention and positive youth development reduce the likelihood of future criminal activity, school-based violence, and gang involvement.
Christian’s Proposal: Allocate $3 million annually in PSST funds to fund:
After-school and weekend programs, as well as extended learning centers
Peer conflict mediation and community-based mentorship
Job training, summer youth employment, and leadership pipelines
The Justification: Every dollar spent on youth prevention saves far more in future policing, incarceration, and emergency costs—while creating stronger, safer communities.
Mental Health & Crisis Response
Too often, people in crisis are met with police instead of care. A modern public safety system must center mental health responses that are trauma-informed, unarmed, and community-based.
Christian’s Proposal: Allocate $4 million annually in PSST funds to:
Launch a county-level mobile crisis response team modeled after the successfully run STAR program
Expand access to mental health clinicians who co-respond with deputies
Fund civilian-led crisis hotlines and post-crisis stabilization programs
Provide mental health first aid training for first responders
The Justification: These services de-escalate emergencies, save lives, and reduce jail and hospital costs. They also free up law enforcement to focus on truly high-risk situations.
Microgrid & Climate Resilience Infrastructure
Disasters are increasing—and public safety must evolve to meet them. Power loss during storms, fires, or heatwaves puts residents at direct risk, especially in low-income and high-need areas.
Christian’s Proposal: Allocate $2 million annually in PSST funds to develop:
Resilience hubs equipped with backup power and renewable-energy powered microgrids
Emergency shelters and first responder sites with independent energy sources
Climate adaptation improvements to county-owned public safety infrastructure
The Justification: Public safety requires climate readiness. Microgrids protect continuity of emergency services and offer long-term cost savings to the county.
