HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-21 Budget (12)Dear City Council,
My name is Leslie Ramirez 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 because of our country’s systematically 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 perpetuated 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.
Coming from a diverse city, I definitely felt a “culture shock” when first coming to San Luis Obispo. I come from a sanctuary city and I am used to seeing harmless, homeless people in
our neighborhoods. I have seen as many as 5-6 police officers surrounding a single homeless black person in San Luis Obispo. There is simply no need for that type of reinforcement over
an unarmed man, regardless of race. I think reallocating money to developing a more inclusive, diverse community would be a better use of the city’s funds.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
All the best,
Leslie Ramirez