2020/07/01 Council Agenda Packet

Deb Williams From: Gregory Wetzel <wetzelg41@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday,June 30, 2020 11:04 PM To: DL-Council Subject: Everett Public Safety Committee on Police Polices Dear Everett Council, I would like my concerns directed to the Everett Public Safety Committee & Everett Council. We have asked police to do too much and major changes are needed. I don't see how we can get equality for all until we defund police and are more equitable with services that help people, such as hiring more social workers. Dr. Camel West says, "We are witnessing America as a failed social experiment." Policing in the United States has its foundation in slavery and is reflective of our racist past. Such tough on crime policies are lacking in our morals and policies that are saturated with white privilege. Often people in our community need help from social workers and do not need an officer with a taser, gun and a club. We will continue to have a racist responses to our city's needs in the community if we do not make drastic changes to the way we police our city. It is time to defund the police department. The police department should not be void of cuts and force other departments to make even more cuts to meet the budget shortfall. Thank you, Gregory i