HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLOcal ServicesDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Lauren Drabinski and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo. Born and raised class of SLOHS 2010.
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. History has shown that police "reform" is not enough. I was appalled and horrified with the way our local police handled peaceful,
meaningful protest this week lead by STUDENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY! THEY WERE TEARGASSED DURING A RESPIRATORY PANDEMIC! IN SAN LUIS OBISPO!!! Never in my life did I think SLOPD could stoop
that low. The relationship and trust I had in the San Luis Police Department that started with my D.A.R.E. Officer in sixth grade at Pacheco Elementary, Officer Brady, was completely
shattered and broken this week. I have no more trust in my OWN local police department. This week alone I encountered more riot police and hyper-aggressive police officer (Especially
officers from Pismo Beach) this week in my own hometown than I have in my entire life. This is including the four year I lived in Isla Vista, where in 2016 an actual riot occurred.
No more money. Period. 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. Change starts on the local level and our police department need change.
I am urging you to completely revise the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year, and to invest in the people, not the police. Please ask yourself what side of history do you want to be
on?
Thank you for your time,
Lauren Drabinski
351 Buchon St. San Luis Obispo, CA
Lauren.elena404@gmail.com <mailto:Lauren.elena404@gmail.com>
805-549-8043