HomeMy WebLinkAboutDo Better_Dear Mayor Harmon and San Luis Obispo City Council,
My name is Adamma Scarborough 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. 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. I have not forgotten what Chief Police Deanna Cantrell and other officer’s involved did, that ruined Cheyne Orndoff’s life after
the unlawful search of his home and arrest after accusing him of stealing her firearm from El Pollo Loco (that also was not immediately reported missing to her department) even though
surveillance footage showed another man completely; a case of “mistaken identity.” That man deserves an apology as well and his record expunged, while on the subject, and am still looking
forward to updates of the investigation as she needs to be held accountable.
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,
Adamma Scarborough