HomeMy WebLinkAboutIt’s Time For DefundingDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Mikaela Bell, and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo. I love this city dearly, which is why I believe in our capacity to meaningfully change. 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. I want to live in a county with abundant mental health
resources, with housing for all, with thriving schools, and with healthy citizens. Our police make San Luis Obispo unsafe for many citizens, including Black and brown folks, those without
housing, those with mental health issues, and those who are all of the above.
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. Let our county be a leader.
Mayor Harmon, I call on you especially right now. You have listened to youth voices- mine included- on climate change issues. You show up for your community. You march alongside us.
You have advocated for a better city. It is absolutely unacceptable to let us down now.
I demand that the City Council immediately 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,
Mikaela Bell
Mikaelarosebell@gmail.com
805-440-1885
Sent from my iPhone