Dear Editor,

I’m writing because de-funding law enforcement will put communities at risk. I do believe that accountability and programs to combat corrupt cops are needed, but de-funding the police is not the answer. Leaving communities to try and protect their homes without general public safety is a responsibility only law enforcement is able to uphold every day.

De-funding the police would hurt more than overall public safety, with fewer officers on standby for emergencies, traffic control, and common discrepancies. Reducing their funding would lead to slower pick-up times from their offices, while taking longer for officers to arrive to the scene of issues.

Instead of de-funding the police, we should look into solutions that prioritize public safety and social services, while creating new training for police officers so that they can be put in situations where corrupt tendencies can be addressed.

Replacing the police because of a select few officers is not justified, as creating new programs and training can be effective to combat this corruption and create a responsible community that police and society deserve.

Here is a link to an article from the Thune Senate exploring the causes of de-funding the police:
https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2021/7/demonizing-and-defunding-police-has-consequences

Sincerely,

Noah Charlton

Dublin, CA