Meeting Time: October 03, 2022 at 6:30pm CDT
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Agenda Item

220778 Communication relating to public comments on the Mayor's Proposed Executive Budget for 2023.

  • Default_avatar
    wendy mesich over 1 year ago

    I will be clear

    DO NOT close a single library.
    Do not reduce any services.
    GIVE our library’s MORE.

    Do not spend one more dime increasing our police force. They are bad at their jobs and if we fund actual things that help societies we will “need” them less and less.

    Fund our schools, our libraries, our health clinics, fund more mental health outreach. fund Community nurses, community social
    workers.

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    Mike McAlister over 1 year ago

    The police budget continues to eat up over half of Milwaukee's overall budget.

    There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to re-envisioning public safety. However, limiting police interactions and investing in community-based interventions are crucial to providing for public safety in a way that’s less intrusive, more just, and more constructive.

    By reducing the size and budget of the police department, those savings can be invested in creating alternatives to policing, reengineering 911 systems so that the police aren’t the first responders to every call, and funding community-based programs, education, housing, jobs, and more.

    And obviously don't take money from the libraries.

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    Mandi McAlister over 1 year ago

    I do not support additional funds to the Milwaukee Police Department. I do support using these funds and funding from the Inflation Reduction Act to fund the proposed Climate & Equity Plan and the staff needed to make sure these funds are used to expand current programs and implement the plan. Climate change is already negatively affecting us and we are running out of time to adequately address it. The city's history of racial and economic inequity has created systemic issues that are hurting members of our community. The Climate & Equity Plan aims to create green jobs, affordable housing, and safer streets. It also aims to address food security, heating costs, public transportation and more. If we focus on taking care of the people and make sure they are able to live in a clean and healthy environment, we will live in a safer and more sustainable city. Funding for MPD will not address any of the root causes, the Climate & Equity Plan will. I strongly support funding for the Climate & Equity plan. Climate action now!

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    Lane Burns over 1 year ago

    There is no evidence that additional funds to Milwaukee Police Department will lead to reduction in crime - we have seen continued evidence that the current bloated police budget has been ineffective. However, there is evidence that, in addition to socioeconomic policies that focus on the root causes of violent crime, providing places for people to gather safely reduce violence and crime. So the combination of increasing budget for police which has shown no substantial decrease in crime partnered with the DECREASE in funding for libraries that require libraries to cut hours is ridiculous and wrong-headed. Please send that 20% police increase to libraries and places for youth to gather safely for fun late into the evening. Put together more evening library programs, and support education and schools. You'll see a change in crime rates and facilitate non-carceral responses to city problems. Be forward, be better.

  • Megan_mcgee
    Megan McGee over 1 year ago

    While the number of police officers would drop from 1,657 officers to 1,640 under this proposed budget, this isn't actually decreasing the MPD budget. Milwaukee Police Department is actually slated to get 20 million more in this budget - and spending on police doesn't get rid of crime. Instead, we should invest in places that allow people to grow and find new opportunities - like libraries. I've mentioned my frustration with this proposed budget to a few people I know, and in response, I've heard so many stories about the importance of the library. One person used to hang out at the library all the time as a teenager - it was their safe place to be. Another friend told me that their dad used to go to the library when he was homeless. If we want people to have opportunities to learn, and use the internet, and look for jobs, we have to keep libraries open. If anything, we should extend the hours that libraries are open.

    Separately, I'm very interested in the new Dept of Emergency Communication and the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). By shifting these services out of MPD, this should also help address the pension problem. Let's do more of that!