HomeMy WebLinkAboutRestructure Budget and DEFUND POLICEDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Esther Cabello 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. I am aware of the $160,000 set aside for “equity programs”, but what we truly need is for funds that are going into the SLOPD to instead be funneled into community
development, as stated above. $160,000 is a mere 0.4% of the current funds set aside for our city’s police. When i say meaningfully defunding the police, I mean that I would like to
see meaningful percentages cut, not just numbers that appear to be impressive at first glance. We need funding for community-based mental health services, substance abuse treatment
services, affordable housing programs, care for our unhoused community, 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. The #8Can’tWait campaign has “reforms” that are already in place in many cities and have STILL proven to be ineffective. Again,
reform is NOT enough, and this campaign is not enough either. 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. I believe that we as a city have the ability to set a precedent
for others to follow.
Thank you for your time,
Esther Cabello