HomeMy WebLinkAboutRequest for Reallocating Funds
Christian, Kevin
From:Ava Shelby Farriday <afarrida@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 2:39 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Request for Reallocating Funds
Dear City Council,
My name is Ava Farriday 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. While we like to think of San Luis Obispo as
the happiest city in America, the reality is that this is not true for black folks and other people of color, who have little
trust in the police and criminal justice system even here.
In light of these events, I 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. Personally, I believe that expanding
funds to cover basic needs for those struggling, such as food and shelter, will alleviate much of the poverty and crime
that still exists in SLO county. I feel the same about expanding mental health services, and granting more money to local
nonprofits who do incredible work to keep our community safe.
I 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 entire problem, it will move our city in a positive
direction and demonstrate a tangible commitment to addressing systematic racism.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
All the best,
Ava Farriday
B.S. Anthropology and Geography, Class of 2022
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Pronouns: she, her, hers
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