HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/1/2021 Item 6a, Delk
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Raleigh Delk <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Public Comment 6/1 Agenda Item 6a
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I’m writing because I believe the current draft of the budget does not reflect the needs of this city following this
unprecedented year and considering the needs of the most vulnerable constituents. As AACCS and others
have been demanding, it is time to divest from police and invest directly in the community. Being 25% of city
expenses, there has to be room to shift at least $5 million away from the police department and another $5
million from other sources.
Hopefully the new approaches to addressing mental health crises and homelessness can shift a considerable
amount of responsibility from police and help reduce the size of their budget.
Though I understand the reasoning that capital investments downtown promotes local revenue through
tourism, how long until the benefit of those investments directly help people living here? The people in the
bottom 10% of incomes need support meeting their basic needs. With $10 million diverted from police and
cosmetic or nonessential city projects such Light Up Downtown as well as potential funds from the American
Rescue Plan, it can be done.
In addition, I’m curious about the details of certain projects like the renovation of the Mission bathrooms. It
would be amazing to see this done in a way that would support our houseless neighbors such as public
showers.
All these changes would be a small step for systemic justice for BIPOC in SLO who are disproportionately
represented in low income and make SLO a more equitable city for all.
Thank you,
Raleigh
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