Defining “Defund the Police”

by Dominique DiPrima

As our nation takes a hard look at how to enact anti-racist, just and humane law enforcement from coast to coast, calls to “Defund the Police” are gathering momentum. But what does it actually mean? Alarmist chicken littles run around saying it means an end to all law and order and no one to pick up the phone when you dial 9-1-1. Some conservatives – and some on the left are trying to make this a litmus test for November’s election. But who does that serve? Does “Defund the Police” mean abolish police departments? Or is it simply a reordering of societal priorities so that emphasis is put on social services, and community support to create a world where less suppression is needed? L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti says he will cut $150 million from the LAPD and redirect it to communities of color. But that’s out of an annual policing budget of $1.8 billion. Even in Minneapolis where the City Council has actually voted to abolish it’s police department, no one is flipping a switch and eliminating all law enforcement overnight. This issue is too important to play semantic games with. Black lives truly do matter….

We have the opportunity to transform and reimagine public safety in ways that could profoundly uplift our cities, our states, our country for generations to come. The impact would be international. Let’s step away from the talking points and have a thoughtful, nuanced and well-informed conversation about what is truly in the interest of the greater good. Lets educate ourselves on the issue and demand real change. It’s time for humanity to level up.