Seattle Police ride on a vehicle behind bicycle police during a Black Lives Matter protest march, Saturday, July 25, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 10:15 AM PT — Thursday, July 30, 2020
Several Seattle residents have spoken out against the “defund the police” movement as city council members come closer to reaching a decision on the policy. Hundreds of people signed up for public comment during the city’s budget meeting this week.
The meeting was largely focused on recent calls from the left to defund police department by 50%. These calls aimed to limit use of force in policing and reallocate funds for community based policing.
Those against the reforms argued cutting 50% from the budget would lead to a rise in crime.
“85% of the police budget is salary based,” stated Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan. “Removing 50% of the police budget would force the city to fire 800 officers and crime would skyrocket.”
The plan would reportedly take funds from layoffs, the training budget and more vital parts of the department. One person, who called into the meeting, argued the “defund the police” movement is a “radical experiment that will hurt the vulnerable.”
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