HomeMy WebLinkAboutReallocate Funds (4)
Christian, Kevin
From:Samir Shiva Chemburkar <schembur@calpoly.edu>
Sent:Tuesday, June 2, 2020 1:53 PM
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Reallocate Funds
Dear City Council,
My name is Shiva Chemburkar 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 systemically racist criminal justicesystem.
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.
Thank you for all you do for the City of San Luis Obispo and for your consideration.
Additionally, it is an expectation for police officers who possess so much power to be properly trained for
matters currently going on. There has been too much emotional response by individual cops that choose to
bash protesters out of frustration and further the divide between the people and the government. 15 weeks is
ridiculous. There needs to be an extension for their training. 15 weeks is not nearly enough time to allow
newly inducted police officers to begin carrying weapons.
I also encourage the introduction of peace officers who do not carry firearms. Instead, they should be
equipped with tasers and pepper spray canisters only. There should be a limited number of officers that carry
actual firearms that should act as second-responders to certain situations.
All the best,
Samir Shiva Chemburkar
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