New York City Council To Cut $1 Billion from Police Budget

June 13, 2020 (EIRNS)—New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo and other leaders said in a joint statement today that they plan to cut $1 billion from next year’s New York Police Department budget. They say they have “identified savings” to meet that goal, part of the lunatic national discussion of de-funding or even eliminating police forces.

“We believe that we can and should work to get to $1 billion in cuts to New York City’s police spending in the Fiscal 2021 budget, an unprecedented reduction that would not only limit the scope of the NYPD, but also show our commitment towards moving away from the failed policing policies of the past,” they said. “There is no doubt that this is an ambitious goal, but it is one that the time we are in calls for—both here in New York City and nationwide.” They said the plan would entail “reducing uniform headcount through attrition, cutting overtime, shifting responsibilities away from the NYPD, finding efficiencies” and more.

Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said that if this plan is implemented, every new victim of crime will be the Council’s responsibility.