HomeMy WebLinkAboutCall to Redirect FundsDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Victoria Parente. I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and have lived here for over three years. I am reaching out to demand that the San Luis Obispo City Council adopt a city
budget that prioritizes community well-being, and redirects funding away from the San Luis Obispo Police Department.
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 also would like to add that I am an employee for the County of San Luis Obispo Health Agency in the Department of Mental Health. I see day in and day out the lack of resources for
those suffering from mental health issues, and from this I also see how it disproportionately affects those in low socioeconomic standing, racial minority groups, and homeless people
- just to state a few of the main communities negatively affected by the lack of proper funding into social programs. It absolutely baffles me how much we spend on policing and I would
like to see our funding go towards more regenerative and solution based community programs.
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,
Victoria Parente
67 Linda Lane
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
victoria.l.parente@gmail.com <mailto:victoria.l.parente@gmail.com>
(425) 495-4237