Hi everyone,

In April, New Orleans DSA voted to join the #HelpNotHandcuffs campaign, a campaign to take $10 million dollars out of the New Orleans Police Department budget and direct those funds to a non-police crisis response program.

The Help Not Handcuffs campaign launched last week, and today, Councilmember Moreno is putting forth a resolution to begin the discussion among elected officials and stakeholders for a non-police crisis response team. This is just a first step, but it is a critical one. 

Can you submit a brief (3-5 sentence) public comment this morning through this link supporting agenda item #45? The draft of the resolution can be found here (item #45). Please include the points below in your public comments as it will shape conversations and efforts for getting cops out of care and getting our community members the support they deserve.

1. A resolution is an excellent first step to start the conversation, but New Orleanians want more firm legislation (e.g., an ordinance) that will dictate creating a task force that will begin strategic planning of how to implement a non-police crisis response team in New Orleans. 
2. The task force to create a non-police crises response team in NOLA should include individuals with mental illness, community stakeholders, criminal justice reform organizations, and disability rights groups, including those in the #HelpNotHandcuffs coalition, such as OPPRC and DSA. 
3. Councilpersons should come to listening sessions in person to hear from the community what we want as they continue to work on legislation.  Community input is critical to the success of this initiative.

Thank you for supporting this last minute call-to-action, and if you are interested in getting more involved in the #HelpNotHandcuffs campaign, email [email protected] to get connected with the organizing team on this! 

Solidarity,

New Orleans DSA Local Council