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natasha.Madison@austintexas.gov delia.garza@austintexas.gov sabino.renteria@austintexas.gov, greg.casar@austintexas.gov, ann.kitchen@austintexas.gov, jimmy.flannigan@austintexas.gov leslie.pool@austintexas.gov paige.ellis@austintexas.gov kathie.tovo@austintexas.gov alison.alter@austintexas.gov 

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To the members of the Austin City Council,

My name is [FULL NAME], and I am a concerned citizen urging that action be taken by our city council to defund the Austin Police Department.  Despite being tasked with protecting the Austin community, the APD has failed its constituents on numerous occasions and is currently an active threat to public order by perpetrating the abuse of human rights and the disruption of peaceful assemblies. 

Such human rights abuses include:

The usage of less-lethal weapons on 16-year-old Brad Ayala on May 30th, resulting in permanent brain damage.

Allowing Garrett Foster, and the motorist who killed him, to bring rifles to a peaceful assembly.

A lack of internal APD investigation promised by Chief Brian Manley following the use of less-lethal weapons against pregnant woman Saraneka Martin.

Directly targeting members of the Austin Street Medics by the Austin riot police, this is a direct violation of a statement made by Chief Brian Manley that the APD will not target medics.

Critically injuring Texas State student reporter Justin Howell, and once again failing to conduct a promised internal investigation.

The lethal shooting of 42-year-old unarmed Mike Ramos in April, over 3 months have passed and no action has been taken against Officer Taylor nor the other 8 officers present.

The APD has a history of frequent collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.  During the second half of 2018 the APD assisted ICE agents in 581 instances.

Because of the APD’s perpetual lack of public accountability regarding the abuse of human rights, I believe that the entire organization is a threat to public safety.  I demand a severe reduction of the APD’s 2021 budget, and comprehensive reform to reduce the size of the APD.  The recently proposed $11.3 million reduction to the APD’s total budget of $450 million by the City Council is far too low.  In order to truly benefit the Austin community more funding must be distributed towards affordable housing, public health, Covid prevention resources, drug rehabilitation centers, and mental health services.

Further reforms that can be taken to benefit the Austin Community using police funding include:

Passing the police budget amendments proposed by District 4 Council Member Greg Casar.

Stimulating Black-owned businesses as requested by the Black Austinite Coalition.

Instituting Harm Reduction policies by decriminalizing drug use and by increasing public funding for the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance.

Reducing economic segregation in Austin and increasing affordable housing to alleviate the effects of gentrification.

Using an external organization to conduct investigations into police conduct.

Increasing resources for mental healthcare and investing in public health infrastructure.  90% of calls to the Austin EMS usually stem from at least 1 poverty-related factor.

Banning the APD from employing chokeholds, shooting at moving vehicles, and from shooting suspects before exhausting all alternatives.

As one of your constituents, I urge immediate action from the Austin City Council to protect the people of Austin.

Do what best benefits your constituent,

[YOUR NAME]

[EMAIL]

[ZIP/ADDRESS]

Sources:

APD HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE

1.  For the use of less-lethal weapons against Brad Ayala

2. For the death of Garrett Foster

3. For the usage of less-lethal weapons against Saraneka Martin

4. For the APD targeting medics and volunteer EMTs

5. For critically injuring Justin Howell

6. For the shooting of Mike Ramos, and the names of officers responsible

7. For APD collaborating with ICE

STEPS FOR REFORM:

1.  For Greg Casar's amendments

2. For stimulating Black-owned businesses

3. For instituting Harm Reduction

4. For the effects of gentrification in ATX

5. For 90% of EMS calls being related to poverty

6. For more reforms the police need to institute

FUNDING SOURCES:

1. For the proposed $11.3 million cut to police spending

2. For APD's $430 million budget