HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/1/2021 Item 6a, Savelson
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Deanna Savelson <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:PLEASE DO NOT PASS THIS BUDGET!!!!!!
This message is from an External Source. Use caution when deciding to open attachments, click links, or respond.
Hello,
I am writing as a deeply concerned community member in support of the community demands to defund the
police. It has come to my attention that the city budget is proposing to increase funding to the police, as
opposed to decreasing this funding as your community has been begging of the council for months.
Please DO NOT PASS THIS BUDGET AS IS! Please DON’T increase the SLO-PD budget! From the
proposed budget document, it seems SLO-PD’s budget is ~25% of the city’s operating expenses! They’re the
single biggest expense for the city; there is NO excuse for this when that money could and should be going to
making sure people’s basic needs are met, and other things that are actually effective at ensuring public
safety.
Instead, please take the opportunity to Defund SLO-PD by at least $5 Million, which has been outlined by
community members of AACCS and other organizations working towards social justice. The people of this
community have clearly communicated that we don’t want money for de-escalation & diversity training for
police, or for bike police and police vehicles. Trainings are not the problem. The problem is relying on police to
solve these social problems, and trying to make police about safety when they’re really about control.
Additionally, the people have been told that full rent relief for all is not feasible. But looking at the budget, $5
Million or even $10 Million for rent & other expense relief seems Very feasible through a combination of
shifting LRM allocations, using state funds and American Rescue Plan funds, and private donors. Especially if
it’s pursued in partnership with other sources of funding as well. $10 Million in direct relief for the bottom 10%
of incomes in SLO would come out to about $2,000 per person. That would be HUGE for me, and other people
that I know who have been hit hard during this pandemic.
Please do not pass this budget. Listen to your community members and please do everything you can to
protect and support our needs. No more money to the police, and please invest in rent relief and housing
needs!!! Your community is counting on you to care about them and keep them safe.
Thank you,
Deanna Savelson
1