Familia,

New York City is in desperate need of change. The nature of policing in our city, and our country, must change. The oppressive behavior and tactics of the NYPD has to stop. But it won’t stop on its own, we have to fight for and secure our own future, free from the oppression of over-policing.

That is why as Mayor, I will work to cut the NYPD budget. There is simply no reason the already largest police force in the nation needs a yearly budget of $6 billion and more officers. We, as a society, should be taking steps to reduce the need for police and to demilitarize our forces. 

We must create a Community First Responders Department (CFRD) that would exist outside of the NYPD and respond to non-criminal public safety issues such as: homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, emotional distress and other behavioral health issues. We must direct money towards the needs of the people rather than a system that enforces racism and violence. 

By divesting from the NYPD and investing in our communities, we can begin to repair the damage that has been done over the course of generations. By ending the criminalization of mental health, substance abuse, and poverty, we can allow our oppressed communities to grow. 

But this can only be achieved by fighting together.

Fight with me by contributing to my campaign for Mayor to build a better New York City!

In Solidarity,

Dianne Morales