Police: Discounting ‘Defund’ movement is insulting

Re: “Seattle defund fiasco is lesson for Tacoma,” (TNT editorial, 8/14).

I strongly disagree with characterizations made by the Editorial Board that calls across nation to “Defund the Police” are punitive and just a “catchy protest chant.”

This is an insult to millions of Americans who care deeply about their communities.

Tacoma Police Department has been given a third of city monies for years. In a good economy this is reasonable, but in 2020 it is not.

Washington’s unemployment rate is near 10%. The employed are offered lower wages, pay cuts and a rollback of hours. Healthcare coverage is tied to full-time employment.

Some 300,000 Washingtonians are at risk of eviction. Small businesses are failing because Congress did not help them. Add to this skyrocketing COVID-19 infection rates that Tacoma is now forced to bear.

It is absolutely necessary to reduce TPD’s budget by at least 50%. Tacoma must sufficiently fund affordable housing initiatives, community health care clinics and a youth jobs program.

We have taken care of TPD for years. It must now help take care of us.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 12:23 PM with the headline "Police: Discounting ‘Defund’ movement is insulting."