The Minneapolis City Council on Thursday approved shifting nearly $8 million away from the city’s police department, but declined to reduce the size of the force, in its first budget since the death of George Floyd became a flashpoint for reform six months ago.
The council voted 7-6 to cut $7.7 million from the police budget proposal submitted by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, reducing its total funding to $172 million. The reallocated funds, instead, will be spent on violence prevention and efforts to create a mental health crisis response team.
But in a late turnaround, the council opted to reject a proposal that would have reduced the Minneapolis Police Department to 750 officers, starting in 2022.
Frey had sought to keep a target level of 888 officers and threatened to veto the budget if cuts to police staff were approved.
The council’s vote early Thursday followed hours of emotional testimony on Wednesday from Minneapolis residents and political leaders, who debated how the city should respond to widespread calls for police reform after the death of Floyd — a Black man who was killed by white Minneapolis police officers on May 25.
Video of Floyd’s arrest and death, caused by one officer pressing his knee down on Floyd’s neck for close to 10 minutes, fueled outrage and led to demonstrations nationwide that called for immediate and substantial reforms.
In Minneapolis alone, hundreds of businesses were damaged during the protests at an estimated cost of $500 million.
“I urge you to fund profound change in how we run our city and care for each other,” one resident said during the virtual hearing. “Put money where your mouth is.
“If you [council members] can’t commit to funding real solutions to the many crises Minneapolis faces, why are you even representing us?”
The decision to retain current police staffing levels was a defeat for Council President Lisa Bender, who had promised to “end our city’s toxic relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department.”
However, she lauded the decision to shift funding from the police force to violence prevention.
“The budget makes important investments in affordable housing, health and economic recovery,” she tweeted.
“My colleagues were right to leave the targeted staffing level unchanged … and continue moving forward with our shared priorities,” Frey said in a statement.
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time to cut loose the anti law states in the union!!!!!
CAn yu say drag feet, if a city council member calls 911.
Every gand dog one of them, need to be PUT ON A “NEVER EVER respond to a 911 call” from list..
Minneapolis will wither and die without strong people at the helm to make it safe and appealing. I’m for sure not going there anytime soon.
CAUSE of this one city, i won’t even DRIVE INTO THE ENTIRE bloody state, let alone visit or move there.
Fight with the cops violently and it’s pay day. The democrats have allowed criminals to declare war on police.
IMO THAT all started UNDER obama…
violence prevention and efforts to create a mental health crisis response team… is that what they’re calling Jackson and Sharpton’s back pockets these days.
Minnesota (mini palestine) is well on its way to becoming a muslim country here in America, right along with Michigan. They can bring in there sharia law and start chopping heads and performing their honor killings and the women can get matching burqas to go with the masks that are already being forced on them. I can’t believe they have anybody left willing to be on that police force there.
The way those cities are going i certainly wouldn’t be shocked to see FULL ON SHARIA courts, within 5 years..
Normally i DESPISE government workers going on strike. BUT IN THIS day and age, i’d be FULLY OK WITH EVERY COP, everywhere, going on strike.. JUST TO SHOW the ‘voting public’, exactly what will happen without a police force.