NEW YORK- Following the budget vote today, Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) released the following statement from NYC Budget Justice Coalition spokesperson, Loyda Colón (they/them), Executive Director of the Justice Committee.
“The Council and New Yorkers should be commended for fighting Mayor Adam's monstrous cuts and restoring funding to some important safety infrastructure and services, such as libraries, arts and culture and affordable housing. However, it’s deeply concerning that the budget will maintain a record-breaking $12B in unchecked police spending in FY25 when redirecting some of the NYPD's bloated budget could have fully restored and baselined key city programs.
Mayor Adams' draconian budget games have intentionally cloaked his irresponsible expansion of the NYPD's budget, scope and power under a shroud of secrecy - resulting in more abusive policing and less accountability. It's unacceptable to keep giving the NYPD preferential treatment in the budget - it emboldens abusive policing at a time when misconduct complaints are up over 50% and discipline of cops for committing crimes against New Yorkers is being secretly buried. The recent doubling of the NYPD's press and propaganda arm, known as "DCPI", is just one example of city funds being wasted to promote policing instead of fully funding CUNY, low-income housing and other programs essential to NYC's health and safety.
We thank Councilmembers Alexa Aviles, Tiffany Caban and Shahana Hanif, who voted against the Mayor's prioritization of policing over core community needs and his expansion of the NYPD's dangerously growing and unchecked power - they voted their conscience and in service to their constituents.
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About Communities United for Police Reform
Communities United for Police Reform (CPR) is an unprecedented campaign to end discriminatory policing practices in New York, and to build a lasting movement that promotes public safety and reduces reliance on policing. CPR runs coalitions of over 200 local, statewide and national organizations, bringing together a movement of community members, lawyers, researchers and activists to work for change. The partners in this campaign come from all 5 boroughs, from all walks of life and represent many of those most unfairly targeted by the NYPD.