Berkeley Mayor: ‘Reducing and Reinvesting Funds’ Is Not Defunding the Police, It’s ‘Reimagining Public Safety’

EXCERPT:

ARREGUIN: "I think that’s reducing and reinvesting funds from our police department budget to focus on new approaches to public safety. I think it’s unfortunate that the word defund has really taken over this whole discussion around reimagining public safety. What we’re focusing on in Berkeley is just that, reimagining public safety, and looking at how we can create a safer community for all people in Berkeley. And that does include looking at new approaches to how our police respond to mental health calls. How they interact with the homeless. Looking at mental health workers to be dispatched to respond to those calls. That will reduce also police time to be able to focus on more violent and serious crime and to -- and to better serve our community and keep our community safe."