Major cities are backtracking on police cuts after increase in violent crime

Major cities are backtracking on police cuts after an increase in violent crime. Demands to defund the police following the death of George Floyd began one year ago.

Many cities, including Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles listened to their constituents. However, defunding the police proved to do more harm than good. A recent spike in violent crime across America has led lawmakers to reconsider police budget cuts. 

Minneapolis Democrat Mayor Jacob Frey said, “The violence needs to stop, it is unacceptable. People deserve to feel safe in their neighborhood.” Frey has engaged with local community leaders, including Black Lives Matter activists. “It includes safety beyond policing, and it includes police. I am one that has been working lock-step with our [police] chief, and I am calling on the council members to work with him as well.” The mayor plans to release a “safety plan” later this week. Frey continued, “We need accountability and culture shift within our department, and we need police.”

New York has also experienced a spike in crime following defunding of the police. Pushback from the city council prevented large cuts to NY police departments, despite DeBlasio pledging to cut the budget by $1 billion. Now, Democrat Mayor Bill DeBlasio announced a new precinct to combat crime in Southeast Queens. The new precinct will cost the city $105 million. New York City Police Commissioner Lee P. Brown said, “The fact is, crime is higher now than ever before, and the police know that things aren’t working. If you ask police officers around America, “Are you happy with what you’re doing?” anyone who’s honest will answer, “no.” The marketplace knows it too. If we were a business, you’d have to say that our market share is declining. People who can afford it are hiring private security; there are more private security personnel today than there are public-sector police. The reason is simple. People are not satisfied with the police service they’re receiving.”

Los Angeles Democrat Mayor Eric Garcetti cut $150 million from the city’s police budget. The increase in crime that followed has led Garcetti and council members to reverse their decision. 250 new officers will be hired and additional funding will be granted. “I understand that as a result of the death of George Floyd, the police commission made a significant promise to the community and to all citizens of Los Angeles, and that was they wanted to work to heal the wounds of our community by reimagining a more socially just and thoughtful future for policing,” said William Briggs, Vice President of the LA Police Commission.

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ARTICLE: ANTOINETTE AHO

POLITICS EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: THE EPOCH TIMES