HomeMy WebLinkAboutRedirect Police Funds in San Luis Obispo!!
Christian, Kevin
From:Hana Robertson <hanamrobertson@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 1:57 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Redirect Police Funds in San Luis Obispo!!
Dear City Council,
My name is Hana Robertson and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cal Poly.
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, we ask 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. We have been shown time and
time again that the funding for the police department only gives them more power over the people they are supposed
to protect; it ultimately results in police abusing their power because of their access to things like guns, tear gas, and
other weapons. An example can be seen during the protests that happened yesterday, June 1, 2020. The reactions from
the SLOPD were completely unecessary and extremely harmful to the community; there was no need to release tear gas
or rubber bullets. I ask you to please consider reallocating the police department funds.
We believe this is a small request to begin to address the massive inequities and systems of oppression that have been
perpetuated 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.
All the best,
Hana Robertson
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