In recent years, Walnut Creek has experienced significant development and has established itself as a regional destination spot.
Approx. 876 housing units have been added in recent years and another 1475 units are in currently proposed residential projects. If completed, Walnut Creek will have added 2351 new residential units to our community. Many of these projects are high density housing units (apartments and condominiums).
If each unit were to be occupied by a couple, this would add almost 5,000 new residents to our community. Historically, high density housing units in particular have created a significant demand for police services. For example, residents living in such close proximity often generate calls for noise complaints and when an auto burglar strikes, multiple vehicles are often entered in a very short period of time. Multiple victims in close proximity is what an efficient burglar is thinking.
Currently city leaders have frozen nine police department position (5 of which are sworn officer positions) despite our growth. This means we now have fewer Officers today than we did 20 years ago.
Walnut Creek has adopted a municipal code to mandate parks and recreation spending, per 1,000 residents added, but has no such plan or code in place for keeping up with the growth and related demands for police or other critical city services. This analysis also does not take into account the growth of businesses in Walnut Creek and related demands on city services.
The nearby City of Brentwood is a good example of a jurisdiction who has consciously evaluated it’s growth and associated demands on city services. A review process is completed prior to approving new projects and their impacts on city services (including Police) are considered. Brentwood has kept up with their growth and added personnel accordingly.
The WCPA would like city leaders to consider implementing a similar review process here in Walnut Creek.
Please see the spreadsheet below for a full list of recent and proposed Walnut Creek housing projects.