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New York City Democrat Mayor Bill de Blasio wants to cut the budget of the New York police department.
de Blasio is following the defund the police movement that is sweeping the country following the death of George Floyd.
The mayor is targeting the $6 billion police budget for cuts with the savings being shifted to social services.
de Blasio doesn’t want the police to deal with street vendors.
Mayor Bill de Blasio: "Street vendor enforcement should no longer be the responsibility of the NYPD… For so many people of color, for so many immigrants, street vending is their opportunity to move forward." pic.twitter.com/flu54uQNlD
— The Hill (@thehill) June 8, 2020
In contrast, New York Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo opposes the defund police movement.
In a briefing, Cuomo said, “You have New York City that is still reeling from the COVID virus, and now you have this night of looting that I’m telling you shook people in the city to the core.”
The governor’s comment was a general remark and not made in response to de Blasio.
The Minneapolis City Council is also pushing forward with an effort to defund and dismantle its police force.
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender described her views on CNN.
Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender on the intent to defund and dismantle the city’s police department: “[We] have looked up ways we can shift the response away from our armed police officers… the groundwork is laid already.” https://t.co/h0eSepelHE pic.twitter.com/wBASgjsIbq
— CNN (@CNN) June 8, 2020
New York City and Minneapolis, as well as other cities, are dealing with the consequences of rioters and looters.
Cutting police budgets will only result in more chaos including property destruction and loss of life.
