HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-2021 Budget_ Police Department Funds ReallocationDear City Council,
My name is Katherine Seidl and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
As you know, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and so many unnamed others have been killed because of our country’s systematically racist criminal justice system.
In light of these events, I am asking that in today’s review of the 2020-21 budget, you reallocate some of the funds currently directed toward the police department to other programs
and alternative forms of policing, such as community policing, community development, or even a specific diversity, equity, and inclusion line item. I also believe that having an annual
course on anti-racism, or a course that covers oppression would be helpful in starting to make change.
I believe this is a small request to begin to address the massive inequities and systems of oppression that have been perpetrated by governmental inaction. Though this will not fix the
problem, it will move our city in a positive direction and demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing systematic racism.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
Best,
Katie
Katie Seidl
Software Engineering Undergraduate
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Society of Women Engineers, Collegiate Section Robotics Outreach Chair
kseidl@calpoly.edu