HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlease move money from the police department to other programs
Christian, Kevin
From:Jacqueline Louise Hewitt <jlhewitt@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 2:55 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Please move money from the police department to other programs
Dear City Council,
My name is Jacqueline Hewitt and I am a resident of San Luis Obispo and a student at Cal Poly.
As you know, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and so many unnamed
others have been killed or abused because of our country’s systemically racist criminal justice system.
In light of these events, we ask that in today’s review of the 2020-21 budget, you reallocate some of the
funds currently directed toward the police department to other programs and alternative forms of
policing, such as community policing, community development, or even a specific diversity, equity, and
inclusion line item.
We believe this is a small request to begin to address the massive inequities and systems of oppression
that have been perpetrated by governmental inaction. Though this will not fix the problem, it will move
our city in a positive direction and demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing systematic racism.
After witnessing the action of the San Luis Obispo police, as well as the actions of police all over our
country, including inciting violence by tear-gassing and shooting rubber bullets at peaceful protestors, it
is my personal opinion that the police department's current agenda is not to protect and serve their
community members. The right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United
States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting... the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." The police department has
prevented protestors from executing their First Amendment rights. Due to these actions, I believe that
the budget of San Luis Obispo would be better spent in ways that benefit the larger community, including
money for housing, assisting the homeless/impoverished, efforts that support the inclusion of minorities,
or so much more.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline Hewitt
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