mahrer
commented
4 years ago Hi @erinb223! Thanks so much for your submission. The Kalamazoo letter is already live from a previous submission: https://defund12.org/kalamazoo
It looks like your letter is similar to this one, but adds some more specific content at the beginning and at the end about the Commitment to Equitable and Responsive Public Safety and City Government Plan. I think these are valuable contributions, so I'll tag this with content-change-request and we can update the existing template. Let me know if this was or wasn't your intention!
Thank you!
erinb223
[Hi sorry — I'm a github newbie and I have no idea how to include the mailing address info. Kalamazoo local govt is not included in https://myreps.datamade.us/, but I can open an issue over there to get it included if that would help. My intention is to send this to the local city govt, which includes the City Manager Jim Ritsema (not an elected official but has a lot of power here), the mayor David Anderson, and the City Commission.]
My name is [YOUR NAME] and I am a resident of [NEIGHBORHOOD], Kalamazoo.
I’m writing to let you know that I believe that your Commitment to Equitable and Responsive Public Safety and City Government Plan does not go far enough.
I want you to advocate for defunding KDPS. Begin systematic divestment of public dollars away from police budgets in the next fiscal year and in each thereafter, until policing budgets reach zero. Direct savings according to the expressed needs of the community most impacted by police violence and systemic racism.
KDPS is a police force with multiple questionable in custody deaths, excessive force accusations, a documented habit of pulling over predominantly Black drivers and enough unnecessary lethal equipment to outfit a small army. The time for hiding behind canned apologies, promises of diversity training, and “community policing” is over. It is clear to me that reform is no longer an option. It’s time to reduce police spending and reallocate those funds to programs that have real tangible benefits, especially to communities harmed by decades of over-policing and discrimination.
Kalamazoo Public School officials have been sounding the alarm that due to COVID-19 tax shortfalls, they could be facing unprecedented cuts to per pupil funding. Yet KDPS is accepting applications for new officers despite already having more employees than any other city department. Public health workers in Kalamazoo have had to sew their own face masks to serve consumers safely during the pandemic, yet KDPS has a stockpile of face shields they are using for public intimidation, not protection. Kalamazoo Public Safety takes up 48% of the entire general fund budget for 2020, and it is unclear how much of that goes to policing specifically. Other public services account for 8% and parks and recreation a depressing 4% of the budget. That is outrageous and needs to change. Kalamazoo needs dollars for services that actually improve and lift up our community. Dollars for education, for food assistance, for housing, for people. Not policing.
City Manager Ritsema said during the Commission Meeting on June 15 that he's not sure how to collect community feedback. I am part of the community, and this is my feedback. Keep my interests in mind in future discussions, and advocate for defunding KDPS.
[YOUR NAME] [YOUR ADDRESS] [YOUR EMAIL] [YOUR PHONE NUMBER]