HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO PD DefundingDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Ethan Hundertmark and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo. I am writing to the San Luis Obispo City Council in regards to the city budget, and how it should prioritize community
well-being and redirect its 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 reducing the budget we are providing the police.
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 law enforcement. 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,
Ethan Hundertmark
793 Bay Leaf Dr.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
eray100mark@gmail.com <mailto:eray100mark@gmail.com>
(650) 504-5007