HomeMy WebLinkAboutGenevieve Sawicz Woodward, Carrie
From: noreply@granicusideas.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 4:30 PM
To: Yasuda, Erica; Woodward, Carrie; City Clerk
Subject: New eComment for Regular Meeting of the City Council
New eComment for Regular Meeting of the City
Council
Genevieve Sawicz submitted a new eComment.
Meeting: Regular Meeting of the City Council
Item: PUBLIC INPUT—At this time, any member of the public may submit comments in writing to
address the Council on matters which are not on this evening's agenda, provided the matter is
within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council.
eComment: Tustin City Council, Thank you for continuing to make meetings available for the
public, and for engaging in public comments. As we close this year's city's budget and look
ahead to next year, I URGE Councilmembers to reimagine public safety. In your own public
statement, you stated that you are against racism and do not condone violence. I would like to
encourage you to follow these words with specific actions. For too long, we have heaped
responsibilities onto our police officers, who are not equipped, trained, or qualified to handle a
majority of these calls. Even police officers themselves would agree that they are not able to
respond to mental health crises. I would like Councilmembers to create a call line that would let
qualified social workers to respond to mental health crises. Drug abuse is another crisis more
appropriate for a social worker response. This would significantly lift the burden of overworked
officers. It would also not endanger the lives of the impoverished persons, particularly people of
color, who police officers disproportionately target. Tustin's budget overwhelmingly funds the
police. At$29m, this is more than Human Resources, Community Development, and Public
Works combined. But police do not solve the problems of crime. If we redefine public safety, we
can shift funds to reinvest in our community: funding for mental health services, public housing,
and health services. Lack of funding for these services are the root causes of"crime," but are
problems that police cannot solve. While so many cities in the US have seen the tragic results of
police brutality, Tustin has the opportunity to demonstrate what a peaceful and just city can look
like. You said in your statement that you do not condone violence. Do not exempt police
violence. Thank you for your time and for representing the values of your constituents. Protect
ALL families, particularly families that do not have enough resources and need extra support
from our community.
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