According to a report in the New York Times, many cities have restored their police budgets, disappointing activists who attempted to defund their police departments last year. Several cities have increased their funding for police departments after they were defunded, according to a publication called “A Year After ‘Defund,’ Police Departments Get Their Money Back.”
A report in The Times says the NYPD’s budget will rise by $200 million despite the City Council cutting $1 billion from last summer. Approximately $89 million was transferred from police services to homeless initiatives, trainings for employment and anti-gang programs by the Los Angeles City Council. In contrast, the LAPD has been given a three percent pay increase.
Several local leaders have switched from slashing to restoring funds because of a rise in crime in major cities, The Times reports. The decline in retention rates among police officers was also cited as a determining factor. In Austin, Texas, the police department recently restored its budget after a decrease last year, and in Burlington, Vermont, the police department has cut its budget earlier this year but is offering $10,000 bonuses for officers to stay on the job. An article in the Times discusses plans for Dallas, where Mayor Eric Johnson calls for funds to be restored for city departments and more police officers placed on the streets.
“For the amount of investment that the local government puts into the department, Dallas stands out,” says Laura Cooper of the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
In response to the Dallas City Council’s vote, the Dallas Police Department will contribute $7 million worth of overtime to the Dallas Public Safety Department. However, the Council approved last month’s budget, approving a 4.3 billion dollar increase for police overtime of $10 million. Fox 4 Dallas-Fort Worth reported the city hopes to increase its police force by 250 officers because of the budget increase, after it lost nearly 800 cops. With the current rate of homicide in the city, the city’s murder rate is on track to surpass that level this year.
As part of the $4.3 billion budget, The Times reports, police intervention alternatives will be funded, including specialized units that assist mentally ill citizens calling 911.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
