HomeMy WebLinkAboutPrioritizing Community Needs_ NOT the Police_Dear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council, My name is Jennifer 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 (funding community based services will decrease
demand for police). I demand a budget that reflects the actual needs of San Luis Obispo residents. 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. Praying for you all to make
just decisions, and for God to direct your steps in the way they should go. May God watch over all you do, and deliver justice to those who have been oppressed by these corrupt systems
for far too long.
“For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.”
Psalm 37:28 ESV
“learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
Isaiah 1:17 ESV
Thank you for your time,
Jennifer Cruz
Resident of Arroyo Grande, CA
jearcruz@ucsc.edu <mailto:jearcruz@ucsc.edu>
(805)-710-2859
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All the best,
Jennifer A. Cruz |she, her, hers|
UCSC Psychology & Sociology Student
Current Location || South Korea, UC Study Abroad Program (PST+17)
+1(805)-710-2859 || jearcruz@ucsc.edu <mailto:jearcruz@ucsc.edu>
KakaoTalk || feelingjcru
"So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." || Romans 14:19 ESV