Letter: Defunding the police is not the answer
In this June 9, 2020, photo, protesters denouncing racism and police brutality gather outside the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Buildingin Salt Lake City. The crowd chanted "Black Lives Matter!" and "No Justice, No Peace!" outside of the building, as people spilled out onto the street. More Americans now say police brutality is a serious problem that too often goes undisciplined and unequally targets black Americans. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows a dramatic shift in the nation’s public opinion on policing and race. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
By Rand Marcus | The Public Forum
| June 18, 2020, 12:00 p.m.
| Updated: June 17, 2020, 10:18 p.m.
The “defund the police” movement is another example of our society’s pendulum swinging reaction to social unrest.
Is racism, prejudice and white privilege prevalent in America? Yes! But defunding a safety net system that supports our democratic structure is the opposite of what needs to be done.
Allocating additional resources to further training, education, cultural competency and a continuing effort to hire a racially and ethnically diverse staff is a far better solution than defunding.
Rand Marcus, Millcreek
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