Press Conference

Police Cutbacks

Minneapolis City Council's Bearing on Minneapolis Police Department Budget, November 30, 2020

Press Conference

Wednesday 12/3/2020 10:00 AM

On behalf of Somali businesses in City of Minneapolis, Somali American Chamber of Commerce does not approve or support those City councilmembers intention to defund or reduce funding for the Minneapolis Police Department's budget or to reduce the population of officers. Our residents constantly live in fear of being robbed, carjacked, or even killed. Moreover, our community was devasted when so many of our businesses were destroyed in the Fourth Precinct by rioters after the death of George Floyd. Crime rates are  higher than ever in Minneapolis area, and we’d appreciate the recognition the Police Department needs reforming and re-educating the officers; however, determining that reduced police funding is an answer to the problem is a myopic view of police officers and their benefit to our City.  We wanted to thank most of the city council members who supported the police budget and the mayor’s budget plan. We’re grateful to most of our city council members who opposed to defund the Minneapolis police officers. We’re also calling out a few council members in efforts of supporting the police budget instead of opposing. We value the mayor’s interest in directing funds to non-uniformed and medical personnel, but not cutting MPD's budget.

We strongly oppose Councilmember Lisa Bender and others in their plans to cut the police department budget. We believe thT their current bearing shows poor judgment.

Sincerely,

Osman Ahmed

Chairman