That's more or less what some cities are going for albeit with shifting the released funds to community support programs, training, and other resources instead of into the pockets of donors and the rich via tax cuts and putting the strain on the deficit.
One issue is that most states and municipal governments are required to balance their budget each year or be in the black. I think there are only 2 states that don't have that law. Consider the loss of sales tax and more methods for municipal funding. Unfortunately, to meet that balanced budget requirement many may need to gut several departments through 2020/2021 and starting with the police budget is politically savvy but perhaps won't provide funding for alternative programs but just drop some red ink.
I don't think the federal government is functional, split as it is, to address these budget shortfalls and allow local governments to address these issues. I'm hopeful the (likely, by the sources I follow) pending economic disaster is recognized before the election and the feds work together to prevent another major recession slip. Unlikely but hopeful.
> That's more or less what some cities are going for albeit with shifting the released funds to community support programs, training, and other resources instead of into the pockets of donors and the rich via tax cuts and putting the strain on the deficit.
Agreed. The solution for my community? Simply reverse the trends in the graph found here:
Good question. The Defund the Police movement should take notes from the conservative Starve the Beast movement.
Defund the Police: Because Our Modern Supercriminals Are Too Smart for Law Enforcement Anyways.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starve_the_beast