Live commentary from the Seattle City Council hearing on the mid-year budget (a thread). We just heard dozens of community members urging council to Defund SPD and invest in community orgs building public safety and one lonely voice calling for more $$ for cops.
Conversation
Many of those calling for Defund also urged Council to vote YES on the ordinance to end the deadly exchange - putting a halt to the practice of SPD training with the military and police forces of other countries. (show up tomorrow at 2 to give public comment in support!)
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As Council works through debate on the amendments, including one to give SPD hiring bonuses and retention bonuses, just a reminder that 1/4 of WA renters expect to be evicted. DIVEST from SPD. INVEST in MEETING BASIC NEEDS.
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Council Member Pedersen now trying to convince his colleagues that giving SPD more money for police bonuses somehow makes us safer. I guess that's above and beyond the unchecked overtime they already receive?
CM Herbold discussing efforts to retain SPD officers, including changing their schedules to 4 ten hour days, so they have 3 days to rest. We welcome SPD attrition and see each retirement/transfer as an opportunity to move cop salaries into community, not a problem to solve.
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CM Lewis now discussing gun violence (and, thankfully, indicating he'll vote no on Pedersen's amendment). Here's our favorite recent source on how cops don't stop violence, and what does: static1.squarespace.com/static/5ee39ec
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CM Sawant now questioning the incredible disparity in pay between cops and other city workers, particularly human services workers. At least 347 SPD employees made at least $200K last year.
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CM Lewis indicating he'll vote for Pedersen's second amendment: using $1.1M of salary savings towards "hiring incentives" and "retention pay" for cops. Last year Council agreed that SPD salary savings should be earmarked for community needs. Short memory, Lewis.
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