September 14, 2020
Today, ArchCity Defenders, Action St. Louis, Forward through Ferguson, and CAPCR, released an illustrated guide to what defunding the police in St. Louis can look like.
The guide outlines why it is necessary, shares quick facts about exorbitant police budgets, and gives examples of scenarios police could be removed from, i.e. homeless outreach, schools, and mental health crises.
Building on the organizations’ historic urging to re-envision public safety and divest from a failed ‘arrest and incarcerate’ model, the guide recommends redirecting resources to community-based supports, reducing the size and scope of policing, and disarming and decommissioning officers who harm community members.
The recent police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade (and far too many Black lives) have prompted national uprisings, sparking #defundthepolice conversations about budget and policy.
ArchCity Defenders remains committed to our mission and values of combatting state violence and the criminalization of poverty that disproportionately impacts Black people and people of color.
Follow the conversation using #defundthepoliceSTL.