After the “defund the police” movement gained steam a few weeks ago, there have been proposals from progressives to take money that funds police in various cities and instead use that money for social workers, etc.
One such city that appears to be moving forward with that kind of thinking is Seattle, and a majority of the City Council has agreed to chop the police budget by 50 percent and put that money to use elsewhere:
NEW: A majority of Seattle City Council members now say they agree with a high-level proposal by advocates to defund the Police Department by 50% and reallocate the dollars to other community needs. https://t.co/0pz88NqCi3
— The Seattle Times (@seattletimes) July 10, 2020
BREAKING: Veto-proof majority of Seattle city council pledges to defund the police department by at least 50%; one part of the plan they're considering would remove Seattle’s 911 dispatchers from police control – @seattletimes
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 10, 2020
Shaun King likes what he sees:
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BREAKING: A veto-proof majority of the Seattle City Council has agreed to defund the police budget by 50% and reallocate those funds for social services, housing, education, mental health, and more.
Grassroots organizers have worked around the clock for this. Brilliant work.
— Shaun King (@shaunking) July 10, 2020
Meanwhile, others are pretty sure what will come next:
Because CHAZ worked out so well. #science
— Razor (@hale_razor) July 10, 2020
CHAZ was so successful, they're giving them all Seattle to govern. https://t.co/M334JOlnwI
— jon gabriel (@exjon) July 10, 2020
"Community organizations and practitioners — with adequate resources — can protect Seattle residents better than the Police Department in many instances"
Doesn't CHAZ/CHOP immediately disprove that? https://t.co/YvOWvzzsDi
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) July 10, 2020
Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it — just weeks later in this case:
Looks like Seattle is going for the Baltimore Plan.https://t.co/OirhL1N0R0
— delane colvin (@delanecolvin) July 10, 2020
Yep, what could possibly go wrong?
Nice knowing you Seattle
— Kung Flu Fighter (@mikediller) July 10, 2020
Seattle use to be one of the best cities to visit. Now, not so much.
— Michael serra (@lakermikey) July 10, 2020
Seattle is finished. It will never recover https://t.co/QgZwf6763p
— American Napoleon Bonaparte (@togreatness777) July 10, 2020
Awesome ?? I’m looking forward to watching this disaster move forward
— Rob Covino (@CovinoRobert) July 10, 2020
Wonder how long it will take for business and the law abiding citizen to leave? Scratch Seattle of the list of places to go!
— Greg Richardson (@GregRic11489976) July 10, 2020
Get OUT of Seattle. NOW.
— C.L. (@ColinLundstrom) July 10, 2020
Will those on the Seattle City Council take a lead from some on the Minneapolis City Council by voting to take funding away from the police and then use taxpayer dollars to pay for their own private security? Stay tuned!
