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Orozco, Norma From: Greg Camphire <gcamphire@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, June 01, 2021 1:36 PM To: eComment Subject: Agenda item 29: 2021-22 City Budget & the Revive Santa Ana Spending Priorities Hello, I would like to provide the following public comment in response to today's City Council Meeting regarding the Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Budget. In terms of spending priorities, I believe that Santa Ana needs to reorient it's budget towards a model that defunds the police in order to refund the people. Historically, an over -funded and under -trained SA 'D has received the largest portion of city revenues. From 2014 to 2020, spending on police has increased exponentially by over $24,742,900, a 23.1% increase over the past 6 years. These millions do not exclude the additional $25 million wage increase and the $21 million from Measure X to hire additional officers. At the same time, our police department is one of the deadliest in the country, with 27 shootings per 324,568 residents. Officer misconduct records have been hidden from the public, while millions of our tax dollars have been spent to settle cases related to police misconduct, brutality, and murder. This council has a responsibility to put residents first. We are calling on Santa Ana City leaders to break from this ineffective and unequal prioritization of policing in city budgets, and invest in Santa Ana residents. This should include education, employment training, and after -school programs; parks, community gardens, and other green spaces; investments in renewable technologies that help mitigate pollution and climate change; mental health services; rent control and affordable housing; immigration and refugee assistance; healthy food access; and other social services. The safest communities are not the ones with the most police, but the ones with the most resources. Thank you, Greg Camphire 92701