Thread by @JoAnnPDX

I know we are living in tense and uneasy times right now, and during these times it is my goal as a community leader to create opportunities for us to lean towards each other – not away. (Thread re: my budget amendment proposals)

We’ve got multiple simultaneous crises doing a number on our communities, and we are all yearning for stability. 1/

What I am asking some of you who feel uncomfortable with my amendments, because either they feel too big or too fast for you, is to consider that for many Portlanders, that stability never existed. 2/

Whether it’s because they were overpoliced for not having a home to sleep in or for having the skin color that makes them an unfair target for profiling... 3/

our current system of policing de-stabilizes some for the benefit of others and I am hearing the calls for that to change loud and clear. 4/

I have been transparent with both my colleagues and the public about my analysis and reasoning for the $18 million reallocation. 5/

These reallocations offer immediate stability for those most impacted by COVID, offer long term funding to build up our communities and non-police alternatives, and offer funds for community members to direct Council how they would like to see money spent in their communities. 6/

Every day we are hearing the need for the city to invest in our communities, and that’s precisely what my proposed budget amendments, supported by @ChloeEudalyPDX does. 7/

We need 2 begin making pple-centered decisions & investments if we r to make the change to policing so many leaders agree are needed. I want to emphasize the reinvestments in pple my amendments do, bc that is where our values lay and where we begin rethinking community safety. 8/

My amendments would offer both one-time and ongoing investments in the community to help us weather the many destabilizing forces right now. They include:
One-time
✔️COVID Food Assistance
✔️Digital access for disabled community members
✔️Universal Eviction Defense
9/

One time cont'd:
✔️COVID Hygiene Stations
✔️COVID C3PO Shelters
✔️COVID Household Essentials

Ongoing:
✔️Latinx Youth Leadership Development
✔️Portland Street Response
✔️Contingency / other emergent community needs identified by community
10/

These r in addition to the reallocation of $15 mil from Council’s June budget vote which not only cuts 3 of PPB’s most racist specialty units, but also reinvests in
✔️Portland Street Response
✔️Black youth leadership development fund
✔️Houseless community participatory budgeting

Safety does not solely come from police officers and I know that’s the most difficult part for some to comprehend when I say we need to rethink community safety. 12/

When reports show that over 50% of all PPB arrestees are houseless individuals continually caught in the criminal justice system for things that could have been avoided if they were given resources, we must acknowledge that our current system is failing everyone. 13/

When reports show that the bureau spent over $6 million to respond violently to protesters, we must acknowledge our current system is failing everyone. 14/

We’re never going to be able to punish people out of their need for support. All we do is trap people in instability and desperation. We are a community and we are only as strong as our most vulnerable and marginalized. 15/

Creating transformational change to build a more equitable Portland is scary, I understand that fear – but that change is necessary. 16/

I believe these reinvestments in our communities is the catalyst for our communities make the long overdue changes needed to keep all Portlanders safe and thriving. 17/

If you believe in a future of community safety that serves everyone, I encourage you to make your voice heard with my colleagues as we prepare for the final Fall BMP budget vote on Thursday, November 5th. /End thread