The Minneapolis City Council has passed a budget that reduces the city’s police department budget by $8 million.
“The City Council adopted a 2021 budget!!” Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender tweeted Thursday. “All the #SafetyForAllBudget proposals passed for 2021. Mental health, violence prevention, oversight and more.”
The City Council adopted a 2021 budget!!
All the #SafetyForAllBudget proposals passed for 2021. Mental health, violence prevention, oversight and more.
The budget makes important investments in affordable housing, health and economic recovery.
Thanks to all who got involved!
— Lisa Bender (@lisabendermpls) December 10, 2020
Through the “Safety for All” plan, $7.7 million will be taken from the Minneapolis Police Department’s budget and will be redirected to alternative policing measures, such as mental health teams. The plan will not affect Mayor Jacob Frey’s targeted staffing levels for the force.
Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis President Bob Kroll slammed the passage, saying violence in the city has increased and police are “overworked.”
“The City Council is decimating the police department,” Kroll said. “The number of working officers is the lowest it’s been in 50 years. Murders, shootings, and other violent crimes are approaching record levels. Our officers are severely overworked, understaffed, and cannot keep the public safe with these cuts.”
Violent carjackings, for example, shot up 537% in Minneapolis last month compared to data from last November. Shootings are also on the rise, after a summer that was riddled with violence and a growing anti-police sentiment, with more than 500 people shot this year, which breaks a 15-year record.
The $8 million reduction in police funding comes after the city council initially wanted to dismantle the force altogether.
In June, the Minneapolis City Council voted unanimously to dismantle the police department in favor of a “Department of Community Safety” after the death of George Floyd in police custody. More than 100 police officers have left the city’s force amid the anti-police sentiment this summer sparked by protests against perceived police brutality.
