Correspondence - #31 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

July 18, 2023 Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 ecomment(a)santa-ana.org Via Email RE: Resolution to Continue the Police Officer Bonus Program, Agenda Item 31 Dear Mayor Amezcua and City Councilmembers, Chispa urges you to vote NO on Item 31, which seeks to Adopt a Resolution to Continue the Police Officer Bonus Program. The City of Santa Ana (City) should not pass a feel-good policy that does not directly contribute to preventing crime or improving public safety. Instead, the City should focus its efforts on addressing the underlying causes of crime by investing in proven methods, such as our parks, libraries, and affordable housing. Hiring more police officers does not deter crime or address public safety. Studies have shown that spending more money on police does not result in less crime nor makes communities safer.' Rather than investing significant resources into a hiring bonus program, the City should consider alternative strategies that have proven effective in preventing crime and fostering a safer community. This involves investing in our public parks, libraries, the Public Works Department, and City services. These investments have significantly improved the quality of life in our neighborhoods and contributed to the recent recognition of the City as one of the safest cities in the country. For these reasons, Chispa urges you to vote NO on Item 31 and redirect resources towards proven strategies, such as investments in parks, libraries, and affordable housing. By doing so, we can create a safer and more inclusive community that tackles the root causes of crime and promotes a better quality of life for all residents. 1 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/07/over-past-60-years-more-spending-police-hasnt-nec essarily-meant-less-crime/ z https://www.forbes.com/sites/IaurabegIeybloom/2023/01/31/report-ran ks-americas-15-safest-and-most-da ngerous-cities-for-2023/?sh=5ecd2e95309a