San Diegans urge city to reject spending increase for police.

Hundreds urge council to use funds for other priorities

Hundreds of San Diego residents are urging the City Council to reject a proposed $27 million increase in the Police Department budget, contending such a spike is inappropriate in the wake of local and nationwide protests focused on police misconduct.

The residents, many of whom accused the Police Department of being racist, say some of the money for police should be diverted to other city priorities such as housing, health care, transit and resources for small businesses.

A spokesman for Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the $27 million increase he has proposed is mostly for already approved pay raises and expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The budget proposal calls for using federal stimulus funds to strategically offset these costs so neighborhood services remain intact and San Diego can continue its longstanding tradition of being one of the safest cities in the country,” said the spokeswoman, Christina Chadwick.

The mayor is proposing an increase in the department’s budget from $539 million to $566 million during the fiscal year that begins July 1. The department’s budget was about $480 million in fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Residents submitted comments by email to the council and spoke during the council’s Tuesday meeting.

“This budget does not reflect the values of San Diegans, and its enactment would have racist outcomes,” said Kimberly Kishon. “Public safety must include an investment in housing, health care, food, good jobs, education, free public transit and resources for small businesses and undocumented people.”

Nicklas Lee said a shift in priorities could reduce the need to spend money on police.

“Work to invest in communities by funding services that strengthen communities and end the need for police action from the front side of things,” Lee said. “The situation today is dire; don’t fuel the fire.”

Bernadette Vela said increasing the police budget would only make minorities in San Diego more vulnerable to police misconduct.

“As issues of police brutality and state violence against black communities and communities of color are highlighted, we need to talk about what real safety looks like,” she said. “Our communities have experienced devastating loss at the hands of racist police.”

The council is scheduled to adopt a new budget on Tuesday.

david.garrick@sduniontribune.com