A Milwaukee Alderman is calling for a 10 percent decrease in the Milwaukee Police Department's budget.
Alderman José G. Pérez said in a statement Monday that he was calling for the immediate adoption of a resolution that would reduce the police department's budget.
"Our citizens have been marching in the streets for the past several weeks demanding change. They deserve to be heard. If adopted, this proposal will begin a community discussion of how we could make that change. Although the Common Council does not set police policies and procedures, it can urge police reform and community reinvestment through the budget process," said Pérez.
According to Pérez, 10 other colleagues sponsored the resolution.
"Thirty days from now, I expect to see the model 2021 budget include real, manageable budget changes that can be reinvested to meet the demands of our neighborhoods," said Pérez.
The Common Council receives the budget for 2021 in September, Pérez said, which allows time for the council to "be proactive in the budget process" and not "reactive."
The resolution said the money saved from the budget cut would be put into the health department, 414 Life and the Fire and Police Commission. It would also be placed into the Housing Trust Fund and the clerk's office.
Ald. Perez, Ald. Milele Coggs, Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic, Ald. Cavalier Johnson, Ald. Ashanti Hamilton, Ald. Nicholas Kovac, Ald. Robert Bauman, Ald. Khalif Rainey, Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa, Ald. Chantia Lewis, and Ald. Russell Stamper all signed the resolution.
To read the full resolution, click here.
TMJ4 News has reached out to Milwaukee police for comment.
