HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity BudgetDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Shelby Littleton and I am a Cal Poly student and 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 love this city and I
want to see it flourish into an even better one. I demand a budget that reflects the actual needs of San Luis Obispo residents and works to improve the well being of everyone who lives
in and visits this city.
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. We trust that you will do the right thing for us, because
we put our trust in you when we elected you to serve us. This is a moment for you to step up and show us that you care for us as much as we care for each other and this city.
Thank you for your time,
Shelby Littleton
1262 Murray ave
Apartment 71
San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
shelbyrlittleton@gmail.com
(830) 613 8966