3 21-0346 Subject: Mayor's Proposed FY 2021-23 Budget Presentation
From: Finance Department
Recommendation: Receive An Informational Report Regarding The Mayor's Proposed Fiscal Year 2021-23 Proposed Operating And Capital Improvement Budgets
While I think adding MACRO to the city’s public safety services is a good idea, I believe it a very bad idea to cut OPD’s budget to fund MACRO. Controlling aggressive crminals with guns is by far the more urgent mission than tamping down disorderly conduct. A lean police force of 800, while a bit below that national average for comparable cities, may be a defensible response to Oakland’s very great social service needs. But the actual number, about 700, is management malpractice. I urge the council to ratify Mayor Schaaf’s budget for 2021-22.
While I think adding MACRO to the city’s public safety services is a good idea, I believe it a very bad idea to cut OPD’s budget to fund MACRO. Controlling aggressive crminals with guns is by far the more urgent mission than tamping down disorderly conduct. A lean police force of 800, while a bit below that national average for comparable cities, may be a defensible response to Oakland’s very great social service needs. But the actual number, about 700, is management malpractice. I urge the council to ratify Mayor Schaaf’s budget for 2021-22.