Dear Supporter,
Tomorrow, the Budget and Finance Committee will meet to discuss the proposed spending costs for public safety services for this year. This hearing is critical as San Francisco Police Department will ask for an additional $23 million from the general fund to hire and train at least 150 new police officers.
“More cops means more arrests,” said Chief Suhr.
This is the city’s justification for the SF replacement jail that will cost upwards of $280 million to build and operate. Last week, there were 293 prisoners locked up in CJ4, yet this replacement jail irresponsibly calls for 521 new cages. We know this new jail would only mean devasting consequences for poor, POC, trans, and LGBQ San Franciscans.
In San Francisco, the African American population is less than 5%, yet black people make up 56% of the imprisoned population. Two-thirds of women in jail have non-violent sentences and have trauma and/or substance abuse issues. As reported by the Controller’s Office, 50% of prisoners presently inside county jails have mental health issues. It’s time we invest in real solutions to public safety, housing, jobs, education, mental health care, not more of the same failed policies that harm our community.
Stand with us tomorrow as we say NO MORE JAILS, NO MORE COPS!
When: Wednesday, April 22 at 1:00 pm
Where: City Hall, Room #250, San Francisco
Together we will demand San Francisco to make real and lasting investments in the health and sustainability of our city!
See you tomorrow,
Lisa Marie Alatorre
San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness
A member of Western Regional Advocacy Project (WRAP), a CURB member organization.
P.S. Check out this great op-ed authored by Andrew Szeto of SF Jail Fight
