ACLU Adviser Responds to Critics of 'Defund the Police'

‘It’s not about taking away. It’s about what we put in that place.’ — ACLU adviser Paige Fernandez provides some important context for critics calling ‘defund the police’ a failure.

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[marylinda]

They should have rephrased it as Reform the Police or Police Reform Now...we actually don't need to defund any community services right now. Whoever decided that the word "defund" was a good idea should reconsider their PR choices.

[Where_Is_Ja]

who is this? why is she speaking like she's presenting a high school project... this does not inspire confidence in whatever claims you're trying to make.

[princesspeach]

Defunding the police is quite possibly one of the dumbest ideas the ACLU has ever advanced.

I have a question for all of you who support defunding the police. Have you spent time with a police officer? Have you done a ride-along with a patrol officer in a high-crime area? If not, I strongly encourage you to do so. Until you see firsthand what they deal with, you have no idea. It’s great to sit around and discuss philosophical issues about policing. But go job shadow some cops for a few days. Do you have to put up with people punching, kicking, and spitting on you at your job? Do you have to regularly deal with people who are high on meth and aggressive, or people who scream at you and accuse you of being a “pig” or a “racist” even though they know nothing about you personally?

The reality is that cops deal with the dark side of society. The stuff we don’t want to think is happening in our communities. It’s easier and nicer to think that there aren’t evil people in the world, violent offenders won’t do it again if we just spend more money on them, and defunding the police will solve the world’s problems. Wish it were that simple.

Thank a cop for doing what nobody else wants to do or has the courage to do.

[singampuli]

how much of billion dollars were from reducing military grade weapons?

[rayndawg]

Well done. There needs to be more information like this on social media designed to educate rather than just wave the flag.

[thomasfesler]

Funding should also go to mental health initiatives to help lower the growing number of suicides and to help the growing number of people that have depression and anxiety as well as other mental health issues

[tirvaygaming]

"Prevent before the police comes."

(I don't know, everyone I guess? )

[mikeyb.]

why not hold communities responsible to the point they no longer need police?

[grimftl]

I'm not in marketing, but the phrase "Defund the Police" was an incredibly bad slogan. I generally agree with the principles the speaker outlined, but what that's not what most of the public will understand when they hear that. They'll think that the goal is to eliminate law enforcement. Conservatives, of course, have pounced on that.

[anonymousfan]

It be good to put some of that money towards anger management classes. We need ways to stop revenge seekers and abusers.

[douglaswright]

Oh no, a crackhead is going completely berserk and violently attacking everyone in sight. Better send a 90lb female social worker with a clipboard.- No one ever

[redhedgehogocarina]

"They should rename it!" "They should rephrase it!" Lol. No. *YOU* need to listen and actually research the movement instead of apologizing for those who rely on their knee-jerk reactions and pretend there's nothing wrong, for once. The name stays. PEOPLE can LEARN and PAY ATTENTION.

[carrieullrich]

More Dog Catchers
More Homeless Shelters
More programs to help people be productive members of society.
Less violence.
More food assistance.
More education.

Fewer police having tanks and military assault gear.
Fewer executions of citizens in our streets.
Less presumption of guilt.

[luchi.el.zorrito]

Defunding the police? Let's defund the projects.

[jeanwilliams]

Communities need well trained police officers. Invest money in training and re-training. Have inservice training days just like they have yearly required visits to the firing range. I am opposed to defunding the police, realizing there are some who should not be on any branch of law enforcement.