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<br />Orozco, Norma <br />From:Jennifer Alvarez <alvarez_jennifer59@yahoo.com> <br />Sent:Thursday, June 18, 2020 3:55 PM <br />To:eComment <br />Subject:Public Comment: Agenda Item 75A and 85A <br />Dear City Council, <br /> <br />My name is Jennifer Alvarez and I am a resident of Ward 6. <br /> <br />It is very concerning that instead of defunding the SAPD which as an institution serves <br />to surveil and suppress Black and communities of color, the city council believes it is a <br />good idea to increase its budget to continue perpetuating injustices. The SAPD is one of <br />the deadliest police departments in California and has the highest number of fatal <br />shootings by police officers in Orange County. Our investment in this institution has <br />failed. <br /> <br />Therefore instead of continuing to fund an organization that is simply not working to <br />serve and protect the residents of Santa Ana, we must redirect our tax dollars from the <br />SAPD budget into investments that actually yield effective results that address the root <br />cause of many of the problems in Santa Ana. The sectors that the city should instead be <br />increasing its funding to are housing, economic and legal assistance, and youth <br />programming among others. Consequently, I oppose the proposed increase to the SAPD <br />budget and urge the city council to instead defund the SAPD. <br /> <br />Moreover, due to the incredibly poor track record of the SAPD, I vehemently urge the <br />city council to support the implementation of a Community Oversight Committee with <br />the authority to exercise proper oversight and accountability of the Police Department <br />and its officers. <br /> <br />I hope that the city council members and mayor make the righteous decisions to move <br />the city of Santa Ana forward. <br /> <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br />Jennifer Alvarez <br />1 <br />