Trans and Nonbinary Tucson Residents Favor Social Services Over Police Funding, Survey Finds

Transgender and nonbinary residents in Tucson overwhelmingly support reducing police funding in favor of investing in social services, including support for unhoused communities, childhood programs, and harm reduction strategies for drug users, a LOOKOUT review has found.

Last month, the city of Tucson released a public survey asking residents to rank their priorities as officials work to address a $28 million budget shortfall. Nearly 4,000 people responded, including 190 who identified as gender-diverse.

While the survey allowed participants to self-identify their gender, it did not collect data on sexual orientation.

More than 70% of gender-diverse respondents said the Tucson Police Department is overfunded. Many criticized the department’s use of military-style weapons and vehicles, expressed distrust in surveillance programs, and argued that public funds would be better spent on social safety-net programs that do not involve law enforcement.

Only two respondents called for the full abolition of the police department, advocating instead for alternative community support systems.

“Tucson has a ton of police—way more than I realized,” one respondent wrote. “I've often seen unnecessary numbers of officers responding to unnecessary issues, and this costs a massive amount of money, especially considering the costs of vehicles, facilities, and pensions. I think there's a lot better areas for it to go.”

Still, a significant number of respondents said they felt the city lacked adequate policing or were unsure. Some advocated for increased police funding, particularly to remove or arrest drug users in public spaces—a strategy that public health experts widely criticize as ineffective in addressing homelessness or addiction.

“Stop catering to those who do not contribute to the community and do what’s best for crime prevention and the safety of the city,” wrote one resident from Ward 3, just north of the University of Arizona campus.

The call to reduce police funding reflects heightened tensions between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community. As federal policies and executive actions increasingly target transgender and nonbinary individuals—paving the way for criminalizing their identities—law enforcement often becomes the front line for enforcing laws based on accusations of “grooming” or “inappropriate public behavior.” In Maricopa County, one teacher has already been investigated by police for promoting a book that a parent deemed inappropriate.

One of the most divisive issues in the survey was whether the city should continue its fare-free public transportation system.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tucson implemented a policy allowing residents to ride city buses and streetcars at no cost. The program’s future is now uncertain as the city looks to close its budget gap.

Among gender-diverse respondents, 61 supported maintaining fare-free transit. Fifteen favored reinstating fares or creating a hybrid system with both paid and free options. However, the majority—55%—did not mention public transportation at all, suggesting that for many, it was not a top priority in the context of the city’s budget decisions.

“Keep transit fares free,” said a Ward 1 resident. “To go backwards is especially cruel to some of the poorest people in the city, and the revenue it generates is a pittance. Leave it alone!”