$35
2 supporters
Organizer
Created By
CHANGE SSF
Story
Please support us with current and future endeavors by donating in any way possible. We will use these funds to finance organizing costs, website upkeep, research, possible legal fees, and potentially more causes as we continue to expand!
On May 25, 2020, our nation was traumatized by yet another murder of an unarmed Black American, George Floyd. Millions took to the streets demanding not only justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others murdered at the hands of the state, but for a systemic makeover of how we as a society conduct public safety.
The South San Francisco community is no stranger to police violence. In 2012, Derrick Gaines, a 15-year-old, was brutally murdered by Joshua Cabillo, an officer with the South San Francisco Police Department (SSFPD). Despite being fired from the SSFPD, Cabillo still works to this day as an officer with the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD), where he has continued to terrorize the community while on the city’s payroll.
The SSFPD budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-2020 was $31 million, which was 25.5% of the city’s entire budget. For FY 2020-21, the city is proposing a budget of $31 million for SSFPD—29.8% of the entire budget. With this money, the SSFPD plans to use $60,000 for ammunition, $67,000 for new handguns, and $170,000 for the purchase of four additional police cars. Meanwhile, South San Francisco’s budgets for libraries, parks & recreation, and economic & community development are facing cuts that total to $5 million.
Major cities across the nation have been responding to the people’s cry for justice and change. The Minneapolis City Council has announced their commitment to disbanding their police force; New York City has pledged to reduce the NYPD budget by $1.1 billion; Seattle City Councilmembers are proposing cuts of up to 50%; and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who had initially proposed a funding increase, is now planning on cutting the LAPD budget by $150 million. Additionally, Los Angeles will develop a new group of first responders composed of unarmed social workers to answer non-violent calls. Currently, the California State Assembly has the opportunity to pass the C.R.I.S.E.S. (Community Response Initiative to Strengthen Emergency Systems) Act Pilot grant program, which will promote community-based responses to local emergency situations. Closer to home, San Francisco is also planning to divest from the SFPD and redirect funds to the African American community, demilitarize the police, and end the use of police as a response to non-criminal activity. Today, South San Francisco has a responsibility to demonstrate their commitment to creating a safe and equitable community for all.
We, the people of South San Francisco, demand that Mayor Garbarino, Vice Mayor Mark Addiego, and the City Council commit to divesting from the South San Francisco Police Department by reducing the police budget by 30%. We also demand that the city reinvests in essential programs such as COVID-19 relief, affordable housing, educational enrichment, public transportation, resources to address substance use disorder, and other community programs. The demonstrations across the nation have made it clear that there is a need for change. We refuse to be silent in the midst of injustice. The city of South San Francisco can and should be at the forefront of revolutionizing and reimagining our system of public safety.
Stay updated and get involved with CHANGE SSF here
There are a series of actions that our city can undertake now that can drastically improve our policing situation. Our demands are as follows:
SSFPD
City Council
Link copied to clipboard
Create an account or login below to join this fundraiser.
Create an account or login below to leave your name alongside your comment or reaction
Uh oh, looks like something went wrong.
Thanks for signing up! Good news is on its way.