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New York City Removes $1 Billion from NYPD Funding

By Luca Adamo

NYC Lawmakers approved the $88.9 Billion FY 2021 budget late Tuesday night, which included “remov[ing] $1 billion from the NYPD’s spending,”. These agreements came during mounting pressure from thousands of constituents calling to defund the police.  

“The reduction includes nearly $484 million in cuts, $354 million in shifts to other agencies best positioned to carry out the duties that have previously been assigned to the NYPD, such as [the Department of Education], [the Department of Education], [the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene] and [the Department of Homeless Services], and $162 million shifts in associated costs.” 

Other changes, as directly quoted from the NYC Council agreement, include:  

“Eliminating two of the four NYPD classes this year, reducing headcount by 1,163 uniform officers and creating ongoing savings without laying off our newest officers under the city’s last in, first out rule.”  

“Returning control of School Safety to the Department of Education, ending a harmful zero-tolerance plan implemented by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani to put the police department in charge of school safety. The new agreement includes a commitment to working with stakeholders, school administrators, advocates and school safety officers to move toward a community model and away from a punitive, enforcement-focused model.”  

“Removing NYPD from homeless outreach. Police often merely moved these individuals from one unsafe spot to another, continuing the cycle of injustice. The new model will focus on meaningful outreach by individuals trained to deal with this vulnerable population.”  

“Reducing overtime spending by $352 million and instituting strict oversight on overtime limits.”  

“Removing crossing guards from NYPD.”


Source: https://council.nyc.gov/press/2020/06/30/1999/