Six months ago, following massive protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Los Angeles City Councilman Nouri Martinez announced a dramatic move at City Hall: he and his colleagues would cut police spending by $ 150 million. The plan, Martinez said at the time, would be to reinvest funds for key services, including “improving communities within the currency”. On Wednesday, the council took its first stab at deciding where a portion of that money – nearly $ 88.8 million – should go. So far, councilors expect nuts and bolts to pay more for city services: street redevelopment, graffiti removal, alley cleaning and many other major city projects. With 13 to 2 votes, Martinez and his colleagues decided to pay for city services, youth and entertainment projects, neighborhood beautification efforts, work and business projects, and nonprofit services. Although the final budget will not be known until February, the list of possible plans submitted by council members so far is already on fire. The list of projects yet to be changed includes road clearing, new curb curves, storm drain improvements, fitness equipment for parks, new landscaping for medians, left signals and tree stump removal. “We got this promise to reinvest in communities of color,” said Rob Kuan, organizer of the Enrique LA, which seeks to encourage representative government and fight corruption. “We really got … the famous barrel barrel cost.” When asked about Guan’s criticism, Martinez issued a statement saying the plan was “a small step by many” to make the city more equal. Martinez said he had heard calls for change this year from “disenfranchised communities” both domestically and nationally. Under the scheme, most of the money will go to districts with census areas experiencing poverty and unemployment. “We heard our black and brown communities ask for more evidence – they see the same resources in comfortable communities. If you do not live in a garage and your children do not rely on parks as their only playground, it is easy to take it until you have to push a stroller through the dirt in the dark,” he said. . The Martinez San Fernando Valley, which represents one area, proposed to use the repurchased LAPD money for speeding cones, street sweeping, logging and traffic signals and for arts, sports and training programs, according to the city. The council questioned the prudence of making new spending efforts when hundreds of workers – many of them black or Latin – were at risk of being laid off as the city worked to close the $ 675 million budget deficit. It. Councilor Bob Blumenfeld called the strategy “bizarre” and said the city should also act to keep city staff out of work, even if fewer neighborhoods need more support. “We are creating these funds to build sidewalks in areas like this. Less service has been provided, but we are cutting down on people building sidewalks,” said Blumenfield, one of two councilors who opposed the spending strategy. It does not provide the fluff it relies on. ” “These are important things – that is, it’s important to seal the street. It’s important to tidy up the trees,” he said. “But it looks like a nickel and silver for something that should be a big promise. Alexis Wesson, Martinez’s policy aide, told councilors that the effort was ongoing but was moving in a separate direction, according to the city’s top budget analyst, city executive Rich Levelin. , Once said the council recommended $ 88.8 million to focus on projects because the city is in a budget crisis and does not have the funds to pursue the following: fiscal year. ”The real goal here is to do what can be done and done quickly. Is to get a list of supplementary projects, ”Levelin told the council’s budget committee. Martinez and his colleagues announced plans to cut LAPD costs in June. Mayor Eric Corsetti accepted the $ 150 million cut that day and discussed his support for the idea during a live televised conference. In July, council members formally approved a $ 150 million cut, urging the police to cut overtime pay and hire 9,757 officers. By June 2021 – the lowest amount since 2008. The council used some of the money to alleviate the city’s financial crisis, paying $ 40 million in a fund to delay the furrows – which was later considered a 10% pay cut for city workers – to set aside $ 10 million for the city’s reserves. Another $ 10 million has been set aside for employment programs. The rest of the money cut from the LAPD will be carved out by the council district, with the largest share going to areas of greatest need. Under that strategy, nearly 50 million will be distributed to three of the Council’s 15 districts, all of which are parts of South Los Angeles. The largest stake, $ 21.1 million, will go to the district represented by Councilor Curran Price, which stretches from the city’s convention center to 95th Street South. Indicates an interest in using money for youth art shows and hiring initiatives for young people and youth. According to the council, they were previously incarcerated. Councilman Marquez Harris-Dawson, who will receive $ 16.6 million for its district, also put hiring plans on his potential spending list. But he also proposed park improvements, on the other side of the street and alley, logging, parking enforcement, illegal littering investigations and other initiatives. The plan for the money drew criticism from Police Chief Michael Moore, who argued that public safety should not be a priority at a time when public service plans are valid and the number of victims of assassinations and shootings is rising sharply. Council members accused the LAPD of downsizing staff so that they could have a slush fund for their districts. “Public security is the absurdity of laying off hundreds of police officers, clearing terrain and sticks,” said Craig Lawley, president of the Los Angeles Police Defense League, a union representing about 9,800 LAPT officers. No one is more bloodthirsty than the neighbors. ”In response to the union’s claims, the council’s decision” demonstrates a firm and consistent commitment to equity and community. “Reducing the LAPD budget will free up money for additional gang intervention workers in his district and reduce crime And save lives.Additional funds will allow more homeless outreach teams, ”he said. It is experiencing much of the frustration felt in our city during these dangerous times, “Price said in an email statement. Times staff writer Kevin Rector contributed to the report.
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