HomeMy WebLinkAboutDefund the Police in San Luis ObispoDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Isabella Hoffmann and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo. I am writing to demand that the San Luis Obispo City Council adopt a city budget that prioritizes community well-being,
and redirects funding away from the police.
In 2019, the City of San Luis Obispo allocated 36.3 million dollars to our police system, an inordinate 27.5% of our total budget. This is compared to just 7.3% of the budget, $9.7 million,
allocated towards community development, with only $1.4 million towards housing development. Next year, the city estimates that there will be a $8.6 million deficit as a result of the
pandemic. The city may recoup these funds by decreasing the police budget.
I demand that the City Council begin meaningfully defunding the San Luis Obispo Police Department and re-allocate those funds to programs proven to more effectively promote a safe and
equitable community. We need funding for community-based mental health services, substance abuse treatment services, affordable housing programs, not police. I demand a budget that
reflects the actual needs of San Luis Obispo residents.
I’m aware that mayor Hedi Harmon has released a statement about how our city can make Black folks more comfortable. It makes me very proud to have such a strong woman as the mayor of
our city. Defunding the police will be a huge step towards this goal.
History has shown that police "reform" is not enough. No more money, and more importantly, no more lives must be lost to police. We must take a hard look at the way the current system
in place fails to serve-and in fact actively harms-our community, and come together to reimagine the role of police in our city.
I am urging you to completely revise the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, and to invest in the people, not the police. As someone who is a minor and will not be able to vote in
November, I will do everything i can to make change without voting.
Thank you for your time,
Isabella Hoffmann
Phone number: 805-890-0553
Email: isabellaghoffmann@gmail.com