Written Statement of Proposed Testimony.
Pastor Darrell Scott
The prospect of defunding and/or dismantling of Police forces across the country is one of the most unwise,
irresponsible proposals by American politicians in our Nations history.
It is nothing short of the politicizing of current social events,
a reactionary measure that can result in short and long term damage
to American society.
Although I recognize the fact that the elimination of excessive force and physical retaliation by officers of the law
against American Citizens is paramount today, and that racial profiling and harsh treatment of of minorities is a very
real reality that must be eliminated as well;
I do not recommend “throwing the baby out with the bathwater”, by labeling ALL Police Officers as “Bad Cops”
because of the bad actions of a rogue segment of those who’s job is to “protect and serve”
In certain inner city communities across America, increased funding for Police, and increased Police presence is
actually necessary, in order to enforce the law, and guarantee the safety and security of law biding members of those
communities.
The criminal element in and of society would enjoy nothing better than a reduction in Police presence and power.
The law abiding members of society would be directly threatened by an absence of Police, or the inability of Police to
respond to criminal activities, and in many cases would endeavor to take the law into their own hands to ensure their
safety and well being, as evidenced by the response of some who decided to defend themselves and their property
from vandalism.
An absence of Police presence could potentially give rise to acts of domestic terrorism, mob rule, neighborhood
intimidation and oppression, and vigilante-ism.
The weak, the timid, the elderly, retail establishments, single mothers, and youth would be especially vulnerable to
criminal activity, as evidenced by the looting and vandalism of the past few weeks.
Defunding of Police Departments has already happened in a number of America Cities, and, rather than remedying
problems, has actually made conditions much worse.
The City of Cleveland, my hometown, is a prime example of the results of Police defunding.
In 2004, the City of Cleveland laid off 285 Officers.
The entire Police budget was slashed by 31% (almost a third).
To cover basic services, the following units were either disbanded, or cut forever:
1. District Strike Force Units (never returned)
2. Narcotics Unit (completely cut)
3. SWAT (manpower cut, unit downsized)
4. Fugitive Unit (no ones tracking fugitives)
5. Auto Theft Unit (Disbanded)
6. Intelligence Unit (cut to bare bones)
7. Mounted Unit (cut 85%. Relies totally on donations)
8. Aviation Unit (down completely 3 yrs. Active only during special events)
9. Harbor Unit (disable. Boat rotting in dry dock)
10. Scientific Investigation Unit (cut 80%, all Lab Techs let go, all evidence collection is done by priority)
11. DARE (totally cut)
12. Community Policing (cut 45%)
Cleveland went through a decade long downsizing which saw department reduced from 1900 officers to 1500 on
average.
Zone car coverage, which directly affects citizens, has been cut.
Police presence in any given district on any given shift has been cut in half, from 40 to 20.
