Topeka police report overall crime drop of nearly 10 percent

City seeks outside firm to develop three-year strategic crime plan

Topeka faces looming budget deficit as public survey highlights infrastructure

Officials urge public engagement on city's capital improvement plan

Sale of Hotel Topeka remains on track for mid-June

Assistant City Manager backs transient guest tax increase to 8 percent

Topeka launches electric vehicle pilot program for city fleet

New 'Get Digital' initiative to provide internet access to 370 households

Mayor announces new avenues for civic engagement and public access

Fire department seeks female recruits with return of 'Camp Courage'

1. Topeka police report overall crime drop of nearly 10 percent

TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka's overall crime rate decreased by nearly 10 percent compared to a five-year rolling average, according to the 2025 Topeka Police Department annual report released this week. Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo announced that violent crime fell by approximately 4.5 percent and property crime dropped by 10.5 percent. Vallejo attributed the decline to data-driven enforcement and community engagement, including the Police and Community Together (PACT) team, which focuses resources on the estimated 20 percent of offenders who commit 80 percent of the city's crimes. The department currently employs 278 sworn officers and expects to reach its fully authorized strength of 285 by the end of the year.

2. City seeks outside firm to develop three-year strategic crime plan

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka Police Department is in the early stages of a request for proposal to hire a company to develop a formalized, three-year strategic crime plan. Topeka Police Chief Chris Vallejo stated the plan will focus specifically on reducing violent crime over the next several years. Once a proposal is finalized, it will be presented to the governing body for approval. Vallejo emphasized that the formalized plan will establish a permanent roadmap for driving down local crime that will outlast any individual police chief or city administration.

3. Topeka faces looming budget deficit as public survey highlights infrastructure

TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka officials are preparing to address an estimated $13.5 million to $15 million deficit for the 2027 budget, a shortfall that may require freezing over 100 currently vacant city positions. Topeka City Manager Robert Perez acknowledged the upcoming financial challenges while discussing the results of the 2027 budget priority survey, which garnered more than 10,000 responses. Residents identified street and infrastructure improvements as their top priority, followed closely by public safety and social services, including affordable housing. City leaders said they will look to find efficiencies and delay certain cash-funded projects before making definitive cuts to core services.

4. Officials urge public engagement on city's capital improvement plan

TOPEKA, Kan. — As the Topeka City Council begins reviewing its five- and 10-year capital improvement plan (CIP), city officials are urging residents to provide feedback on the city's long-term infrastructure spending. Officials noted that the city typically spends more money through the CIP than its general fund due to the massive scope of public works projects. The city has recently shifted toward increasing cash funding for infrastructure projects to reduce long-term interest costs, and officials are actively soliciting public input on which street and infrastructure updates should be prioritized over the next decade.

5. Sale of Hotel Topeka remains on track for mid-June

TOPEKA, Kan. — The city of Topeka remains on schedule to finalize the sale of Hotel Topeka to Wichita-based Endeavor Hotel Group LLC by June 15, a move that will permanently remove the property from the city's general fund obligations. A city official reported that Shawnee County recently took critical first steps to support the transition by signing a memorandum of understanding and committing funds to the adjacent conference center. The official described the city's initial acquisition of the hotel as a necessary economic development strategy to preserve Topeka's ability to host large-scale events and attract tourism revenue.

6. Assistant City Manager backs transient guest tax increase to 8 percent

TOPEKA, Kan. — The recently implemented increase to Topeka's transient guest tax has the explicit support of Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley, who argued the move was necessary to fund continued local tourism efforts. The hotel tax rose to 8 percent at the start of the year to help recoup the city's investment in Hotel Topeka. Copley emphasized that the tax is paid primarily by visitors from out of town, and the generated revenue is being reinvested into economic development to expand the local tax base, ultimately easing the financial burden on residents.

7. Topeka launches electric vehicle pilot program for city fleet

TOPEKA, Kan. — The city of Topeka has launched a new electric vehicle pilot program, debuting its first EV truck for the city's inspections team last week. Topeka City Manager Robert Perez announced the arrival of the vehicle as part of an Earth Day initiative, with plans to introduce five additional electric vehicles to the municipal fleet by the end of the year. The program, developed with input from the city's sustainability commission, is designed to reduce the city's carbon footprint and advance its broader sustainability goals.

8. New 'Get Digital' initiative to provide internet access to 370 households

TOPEKA, Kan. — The city of Topeka is rolling out the next phase of its Topeka and Shawnee County (TSC) "Get Digital" campaign, a program designed to bridge the digital divide for low-income residents. Office of Inclusive Communities Director Monique Glaudé announced that the income-based initiative will provide connectivity, education and access to essential services for 370 eligible Topeka households. The program is funded by a 2021 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation aimed at advancing digital equity. The city will release full application details and eligibility requirements later this week.

9. Mayor announces new avenues for civic engagement and public access

TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka Mayor Spencer Duncan announced three new formats for residents to engage directly with his office starting in late May. Mayor Duncan will host several solo town hall meetings at various locations across the city throughout the year. Additionally, the office will schedule online question-and-answer sessions every six weeks for residents who cannot attend in person, as well as dedicated days where citizens can sign up for 15-minute, one-on-one meetings on a first-come, first-served basis.

10. Fire department seeks female recruits with return of 'Camp Courage'

TOPEKA, Kan. — Applications are currently open for Camp Courage, a weeklong summer fire academy training program aimed at young women between the ages of 16 and 18. Scheduled for June 1 through June 5, the program provides hands-on experience, including climbing the department's fire tower, to encourage female interest in emergency services. Topeka City Manager Robert Perez noted the importance of the initiative following recent open testing for the Topeka Fire Department that saw zero female applicants, highlighting an ongoing need to diversify the department's ranks.

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