HomeMy WebLinkAboutInvest in the PeopleDear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Claire Adams and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo. I would like to start off by addressing an email response from council member Carlyn Christianson to a fellow SLO resident
regarding the matter of defunding the police. Her brief response simply said, “This is an insane idea”. We ask you, as public servants, to work with us and to listen to our voices without
responding in a dismissive manner that leaves no room for discussion. I ask that you legitimately address our concerns.
These recent events have opened the people’s eyes to the reality of the police structure in the United States and as your constituents, we ask you to work with us on adapting the current
system to one that more accurately addresses our needs. I do not think it is insane to ask that we divert funds from institutions that rely on the use of force to stop crime to those
that can provide resources that prevent crime.
I recently saw a video of a group of peaceful protesters in San Luis Obispo on Santa Rosa St., marching in a line with their hands up and chanting, “This is what democracy looks like”.
Seconds later, a line of police, dressed as if they were fully geared up for war, shot teargas at the unarmed protesters. To me, that is absolutely not what democracy looks like. It
is actions like these that deem it necessary for us to question the current policing system and discuss reform.
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. 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,
Claire Adams
2375 Boulevard Del Campo, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
claireadams100@gmail.com <mailto:claireadams100@gmail.com>
818-445-5072