South Tucson's City Council voted to direct the city's $1 million Pascua Yaqui Tribe donation toward police operations and crime prevention programs, with community members urging the city not to overlook prevention in its public safety spending.

The unanimous approval followed the recommendation of a citizen advisory committee, allocating $250,000 toward police department operational expenses for the next two years, $200,000 for additional services and equipment, and $103,000 for crime prevention efforts. The remaining funds will be reserved for the fiscal year 2027-28 budget.

The remaining funds will be made available to community members, who will be invited to apply for crime prevention funds in the near future.

More than 10 people from Azatlan Boxing Gym spoke at the meeting about how the funding could benefit their work, saying crime prevention starts with programs like theirs.

Juliana Leon has been involved with the gym since she was 12. Now 32, she said the last 20 years have been one of the greatest blessings in her life.

"It kept me out of trouble, gave me structure, discipline, and structure … and mentors who believed in me, taught me responsibility, confidence, and what it means to serve community," Leon said. "I know public safety is important, but prevention is public safety."

Other speakers made the same case for different programs.

Soleste Lupu, co-founder of Dancing in the Streets, spoke on the positive impact dance has on youth who are more vulnerable to harmful behaviors.

"Students who participate in structured art programs are engaged during critical after-school hours," Lupu said. "They develop positive relationships with mentors, gain confidence and purpose. These experiences help reduce the likelihood of involvement in gaining substance abuse and juvenile crime, regardless of where their family comes from."

Mayor Roxanna Valenzuela called the funding an investment in the community and its residents.

South Tucson also applied for a federal grant through a House appropriations bill proposed by U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, which would direct more than $15 million in federal investment to Southern Arizona.

"An application was submitted before the passing of late Congressman Raul Grijalva," said City Manager Veronica Moreno. "There was some delay, but after Congresswoman (Adelita) Grijalva was in office, she brought back the ability to apply for funding."

If selected, the city could receive $850,000 for neighborhood revitalization projects, including an emergency home repair program for low-income households and support for community facilities like the John Valenzuela Youth Center.

The mayor and council split on their vote to adopt a tentative $35.5 million budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with Melissa Brown-Dominguez and Paul Diaz voting no. Councilmember Cesar Aguirre was absent from the meeting.

The budget includes $7 million in general funds to maintain city functions, with $3 million allocated to the South Tucson Housing Authority, $1.1 million for public safety grants and $19 million for miscellaneous expenses.

The council is holding a public hearing on July 7 at 6 p.m. in its chambers, with the tentative budget available to review in person or online.

The council also discussed surveillance cameras, following its February vote to remove Flock Safety automated license plate readers after community members expressed concerns.

"The cameras are very important to us," Chief of South Tucson Police Danny Denogean told the council. "They helped us solve a homicide right before we got rid of the cameras. Without those cameras, we would not have solved that homicide."

Denogean said the cameras support policing efforts, given that the police department is at its lowest staffing level in two decades.

"Many of those people that were here opposing the cameras were not South Tucson residents," said Brown-Dominguez, who previously voted against their removal. "The resident speakers who came and addressed the council were in support of retaining the system. One of the speakers that was a South Tucson resident actually put into record a petition of 65 additional signatures of the City of South Tucson residents, business owners, and community members that were also in support of retaining the camera system. The community stakeholders should not have to wait any longer for the implementation of a replacement camera system."

Councilwoman Dulce Jimenez said she would be open to exploring other camera options, saying she understands that they make some residents feel safe.

"I agree that cameras are a very helpful tool … but … what I want to see is more of that community approach to policing," Jimenez said.

No action was taken during the meeting.

Topacio “Topaz” Servellon is a reporter with Tucson Spotlight. Contact them at topacioserve@gmail.com.

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