Pages
Stay In Touch
More
© 2021 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
While passions heat up over the recent incidents of death of black men and women at the hands of police officers in cities throughout the nation, one movement has emerged as a rallying cry for those who are protesting in the streets: the “defunding” of police departments.
While the term itself is rightfully alarming to many at first, the exact meaning of what this action would actually entail ought to be made clear.
There is little doubt that no police departments anywhere in this country will be abolished outright, even if there may be those on the extreme ends of the spectrum who would hope for it.
Most advocates of this movement are actually looking to restructure policing policies and redistribute allocated funds so that social programs and job creation opportunities will be enhanced, while the ongoing militarization of police departments is curtailed and significantly scaled back.
While serious study of how to best make use of funds granted to police departments may be a worthwhile thing, it is unfortunate that the issue has become yet one more factor in the already highly divisive political climate we are living in. Those on both ends of the spectrum are pressing their points passionately and broadly.
We in this city can take pride in the fact that our civic leaders and the police have taken the pledge to practice responsible use of force.
Upcoming city budget negotiations will likely include discussions on police department funding. We can expect some shifting of funds, but we think our own cops deserve their fair share of what it takes to do their jobs effectively.
If you found this article of interest, please consider sharing it.
I’m glad that this has been explained to people that haven’t understood the reasoning behind it. Too often people, myself included, have criticized things without knowing all the facts. Education is always the best tool we have.
No matter how many police officers pledge to do the right thing, unless ALL police everywhere do the same thing, the issue will never be resolved. This country needs complete reform and reorganization of its police departments so that responsibility and accountability are foremost, and tolerance of abuse is completely prohibited.
Perhaps by putting funding into other areas to help communities become stronger, there will be less of a need for police to intervene.
Mostly it amount to the city not putting money into where it really should have been all along instead of special projects that were useless. The police here in this city have no problems with what is going on. They do not need to have money taken away that they may need to do their job properly. This is a result of a few bad apples. Same as the protesters. The few bad apples on their side did not help to make them look good. And we don’t need to punish them either. The police should have more of the decision of what is needed. Our council members do not know and should not be taking this course. Take funds from useless projects and put it where it belongs. Downsize the council and reduce their wages. Mayor too and anyone overpaid on the city payroll. The real workers in out city do not make what these people do.Let’s not punish the police but instead do the right thing. Other cities are increasing the budget for the police so they can have good equipment and the amount of personal they need to do their job for us, the taxpayers. The police and fire are our life line.