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Salas, Diana <br />From: Ruth Linnert <ruthielinnert@gmaiLcom> <br />Sent: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 2:19 PM <br />To: eComment <br />Subject: DEFUND THE POLICE & CONTINUE FUNDING DEPORTATION DEFENSE <br />Dear Mayor & City Council, <br />My name is Ruth Linnert and I am a resident of Santa Ana, Ward 3. I am writing in deep concern for the health <br />of Santa Ana's community. It has become more than clear that a radical shift in our concept of policing and <br />community health must take place at the local level. It is unacceptable that Black and marginalized communities <br />are living in persistent fear of being killed by state authorities like police, immigration agents or even white <br />vigilantes who are emboldened by state actors. <br />Despite continued profiling, harassment, terror and killing of Black communities, local and federal decision - <br />makers continue to invest in the police, which leaves Black people vulnerable and our communities no safer. <br />Moreover, this deep lack of trust that the government is breeding by terrorizing its own people, rather than <br />safeguarding our health, is an alarming risk for future generations to live peacefully and safely with each other. <br />The time has come to defund the police. <br />We need to restore justice in our city which has prided itself on providing sanctuary to all people of our <br />community. A radical increase for funding towards community services and healthcare is imperative. We need <br />youth programs, increased mental health services, neighborhood infrastructures, childcare, and community <br />outreach for those who need these services most. We need more funds for rehabilitation and the re-entry process <br />for formerly incarcerated individuals, and help increase employment and education rates. We need to continue <br />funding for the deportation defense fund in our city. We need to build a society that does not need policing. <br />We call for defunding of police and for those dollars to be rerouted to strengthen our community health system <br />including continued funds for deportation defense and relief. <br />Sincerely, <br />Ruth Linnert <br />524 N. Grand Ave. SA 92701 <br />ruthielinnertggmail.com <br />714-328-0929 <br />