John --
I know many of you are concerned about public safety
and police staffing. I share your concerns, and want to let you know
how you can make your voice heard.
The police budget will be discussed this Thursday, June
24, at the Board of Supervisors' Budget and
Appropriations Committee. The Budget hearing begins at 10:00
am. At that meeting, the members of the Committee may vote to adjust
or cut the police budget.
You can let us know how you feel by email anytime
or by calling the phone line below to make public comment on
Friday, June 25.
Police Chief Bill Scott recently appeared before
the Board of Supervisors to share his concerns regarding staff
attrition and requested meaningful funding commitments for two police
academy classes, equipment and new investments in criminal justice
reform initiatives.
The current budget proposal includes funding for these
priorities. The two academy classes are necessary to sustain the
police department’s current staffing levels. An independent analysis
of our police staffing found it to be "severely
inadequate." Currently, there are only 1,780 sworn officers, and the
analysis recommended an additional 396 sworn officers based on current
demand for service.
Despite the need, there are some who have expressed a
desire to cut this funding. This will likely reduce the sworn officer
population by another 200 positions based on current attrition and
retirement trends.
Keeping our streets safe and investing in meaningful
criminal justice reform are not mutually exclusive—indeed, meaningful
criminal justice reform requires investing in the future.
When to watch: Thursday June
24, 10:00 am
Where: Virtual
How to watch: On SF Cable
Channel 26, 78 or 99 (depending on provider) or www.sfgovtv.org
How to email public
comment: [email protected]
How to make public comment via
phone (Friday, June 25 starting at 10am): Dial 1 (415)
655-0001 / Enter Meeting ID: 146 586 5393 # #
How to make public comment via
video submission: Please see instructions here.
Warm Regards,
Supervisor Catherine Stefani http://www.supervisorstefani.com/
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