SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday will consider calls to redirect a portion of its police budget to community services, such as transportation and affordable housing, amid national protests against police brutality.
Protesters across the country have been pushing to “defund the police” over the death of George Floyd and other black Americans killed by law enforcement. Supporters have said the movement aims to divert resources from police to address societal issues, rather than eliminate police departments.
Several council members have said they are open to discussing how to “defund” the city’s police department on an incremental basis. The liberal-leaning council said in a statement that it would review the police department budget and potential reform efforts.
Councilwoman Amy Fowler said many people who end up in the criminal justice system are suffering from substance abuse or other mental health issues, so it’s important for the council to address these underlying issues.
Council Chairman Chris Wharton said Monday that the council likely won’t take any major steps this year because the seven-member body has only three weeks to finalize its 2020-2021 budget, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Steve Winters, president of the Salt Lake City Police Association, said the council should “slow down” before supporting any drastic cuts to police resources. He urged elected officials to fund social services while maintaining the police budget.
Democratic Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s current recommendation proposes a 2.7% increase to the police budget bringing it to a proposed $84 million. The police budget for the state’s largest city has increased every year since 2013, according to city documents.
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