Matson touts crime prevention results, economic development in State of the City

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - Davenport Mayor Mike Matson touted the city’s work to lower violent crime and economic development during the State of the City on Thursday.

The presentation highlighted economic development news, capital improvement project updates, and other city accomplishments.

Matson spoke about all of the things Davenport has done in the last year. He mentioned a billion-dollar investment in the north side of Davenport, including Amazon’s second facility and expansion.

“Set the table so business when they are interested in coming is ready to go,” Matson said. “That’s what the city council, that’s what the staff, that’s what a lot of people have told us to do, and we’re doing it.”

Matson also spoke about expanding trails to connect several large trails in the area.

He also spoke about fixing up streets in the city. Matson knows there needs to be repairs all over.

“25 neighborhood streets just in this next budget,” Matson said. “Again, we used to not do neighborhood streets few years ago, now we’re having a big push to work on neighborhood streets.”

A total of $29 million has been approved for street repairs in 2026.

Matson also talked about tackling spring floods.

“And when I became Mayor, we made it a purposeful intent that we’re not gonna just keep pushing it down, we’re gonna do something with flood mitigation, so we did,” Matson said.

He also mentioned the inclusive playground at Vander Veer and Iowa’s first giant light display at the Figge Museum.

Matson also spoke about crime and how, in 2019, there were a lot of issues. But, since then, the city’s worked with schools, police, and the community to bring violent crime down.

“You have to have prevention and community partnerships,” Matson said. “Intervention, then law enforcement working together and going to folks and talking about being safe, alive and out of prison.”

The Davenport Police Department is one of eight departments to get the new state accreditation. The program started in 2023, with a goal to hold police departments to certain standards and strengthen public confidence and trust.