HomeMy WebLinkAboutReform police and divest fundingDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Matteo Del Giudice 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. Students that come from less fortunate backgrounds are unable to attend Cal Poly because of the disgustingly
high price of housing in San Luis Obispo. If you truly want to make the city of San Luis Obispo a diverse place, incorporate lower income housing into wealthy neighborhoods. Allow for
people with rich backgrounds with less funds a place and a chance at things that seem impossible now. Cal Poly struggles to be called a diverse school, and it stems directly from the
fact that housing and opportunity programs are shunned by the school and city. But instead the city invests in crime, running the prison businesses.
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. 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.
Thank you for your time,
Matteo Del Giudice
111 Patricia Dr., San Luis Obispo
Matteo.delgiudice17@gmail.com
(360)688-3327