Stevenson, Garrett
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JL KristinOckershauser
Wednesday, May 11, 2022 2:51 PM
Stevenson, Garrett
Comment submitted for the Pasadena Police Dept. Budget discussion 5.1 122 You don't often get email from i.-,:Learn why this is important CAUTION: This email was delivered from the Internet. Do not click links or open attachments unless you know the content is safe. Report phish using the Phish Alert Button. Learn more....
Public Safety Committee
City of Pasadena
May 11,2022
Dear Public Safety Committee Members:
The Police Department is recommended to receive 92% of its funds from the City's General Fund (tax payer funded) at the expense of other city services which are badly underfunded (e.g. the public health department which has not been funded by the City during most of the pandemic.) PPD is left to decide how they wish to spend these valuable dollars, without rigorous accountability for their effectiveness and need.
The public needs to know how PPD spends these generous tax payers' monies and what we get for it. Is crime being reduced? Are inevitably rising personnel costs enabling a safer city for all residents? As Pasadena's Police Department rises to nearly $100 M projected for 2023, with a 5.6% budget increase, it's wise to recall journalist Joe Matthew's cautionary tale, How California Police Unions Are Looting City hlalls. https://www.ocrecjister.com/.../stop-californias-cops.../ With the arrival of a new Chief of Police and a new City Manager, and with a new 3 year Memo of Understanding (and requests for increased 1 benefits) between the City and the police union (curiously unavailable yet, although nearly a year overdue) now is the opportune time to have an independent audit of the Police Department done.
I do not recall PPD having an audit in the 19 years I've lived in Pasadena. General Fund monies are precious for all sorts of City services. Now is the time for serious accountability and transparency.
Thank you,
Kris Ockershauser
District 6
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