Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and police Chief Medaria Arradondo said Monday they oppose a budget proposal that would shift nearly $8 million from the Police Department's 2021 budget.
Late last week, three council members announced they would put forward a plan to funnel those dollars into non-law enforcement based public safety programs and services. Supporters of the plan say given the depleted ranks of the department, that would keep officers free to respond to violent crime calls, MPR News reports.
At a news conference, Frey called the proposal, which would decrease the authorized size of the force from 888 to 750, “irresponsible.”
Frey said a significant spike in crime is affecting people all over the city. And he said people want to see police reform, but they also want there to be enough police officers available to respond to emergencies.
