There’s an outcry from Baltimore city city taxpayers, after an online budget forum Thursday night.
Many of those who testified were angry that Mayor Brandon Scott’s proposed spending plan for next fiscal year actually increases the budget of the Baltimore Police Department. It comes after the mayor promised to “re-imagine” policing in the city.
The city’s spending board approved the proposed budget two weeks ago, which totals about $4.3 billion.
Voices filled the virtual room of the city council taxpayers’ night forum.
The mayor’s budget calls for an increase of $28 million in police spending, which pushes the department’s budget to over half-a-billion dollars.
Scott’s move comes, despite what he said on the campaign trail that he did not want to see an increase in police spending.
In a statement Thursday night, he said the increase would fund no new programs. Instead, the money would pay for increased costs for employee health insurance and police pensions.
Still, there’s opposition.
“I demand that money be reallocated from the Baltimore Police Department in life-affirming resources,” said Baltimore resident Elaine Millas.
“A lot of what can be done in this city can be done by defunding the police,” said Matt Lewis.
But Jacob Richardson, who spoke out in favor of increasing the department’s budget, asked: “How many murders does it take for the city council to stand up and show some courage and support the police?”
The political job includes protecting the people, regardless what the voices state and last anyone checked Baltimore needs leaders, not voices who care about only themselves and want handouts or free help. Put your pants on voices and stop complaining. Everyone needs LEOs.
Close down all of the roads in and out of that shit hole city, pull all of the police out and let them devour each other. Give them what they want and when they come begging for help tell them to F off.
This is what happens when you allow uneducated, ungrateful and ignorant people to vote. You get uneducated, unqualified and ignorant “leaders”.
Wonder what the excuse will be when there are no police or white people to blame and their city is still a cracked out, ghetto infested criminals and murderers?
Give them what they want and give them no mercy when they get it!
Police shouldn’t respond to politicians calls.
Oh hell with this crap. Hey RICKIE….its a monsoon in OC without help at the establishments. Coastal highway route 50 and 90 have been packed all day…………you and logan was a laugh. Nov cant come fast enough putz.
Hear that? Its the sounds of cars exiting OC Sunday rather than Monday. Hahahahhaha.