HomeMy WebLinkAboutMy Peers and I Should Get to Feel Safe in SLODear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Pacific Austin and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a fourth year student at Cal Poly. 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. As students, we are working with all our heart to be the best
possible version of ourselves as we enter into our true adult year. The time we spend in SLO are some of the most pivotal years of our lives. Do you truly believe that the police force
in SLO helps us to be our best selves? My peers and I deserve to feel safe as we do so. We deserve to be treated equally in all situations regardless of the color of our skin. Please
defund the police department and reallocate funds toward the betterment of your residents.
Thank you for your time,
Pacific Austin
pacificellie@gmail.com
925.336.1603
Pacific Austin
B. Arch
Cal Poly SLO, 2020