Sierra Club, Washington DC Chapter
Written Testimony
on
Metropolitan Police Department
FY2021 Budget
Submitted Monday, June 15, 2020
to the
DC Council Committee on the Judiciary and Public Safety
The DC Chapter of the Sierra Club offers the following testimony on the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) FY21 budget. The Sierra Club DC Chapter usually does not comment on police budgets as we are not an organization focused on criminal justice issues. However, in the context of recent calls for racial justice and policing reform, the Sierra Club has joined over 400 organizations that have signed onto the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights initiative calling on Congress to take action on police violence. In support of this effort, the DC Chapter urges the Council to listen to the voices of local advocacy groups and people who are experienced in issues related to policing and alternatives such as violence interrupters.
Reimagining the Role of Policing
There is ample evidence, including testimony by police officers and their leaders, that the roles for police have expanded beyond what is necessary in a modern society that values expertise and specialization. The DC Chapter believes that across the nation and in DC, residents suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues would be better served by mental health and substance-abuse specialists who are available, 24/7, than armed police officers who sometimes have limited training in such matters and often do not view these issues through a public health lens. Now is the time to examine appropriate balances between these roles and the funding for those alternatives.
Within the District, there are opportunities to limit risky encounters between police and residents or visitors while improving enforcement and outcomes. For example, in line with the District’s Vision Zero Plan, more automated traffic enforcement could be added (with cameras located and enforced in an equitable and just manner) to reduce traffic stops while improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians. Automated enforcement reduces the use of traffic stops as a pretext to enforce other laws – a tool that, because of racial biases, is repeatedly used against people of color at higher rates than whites – and further limit these dangerous interactions while reducing staffing costs within MPD.
Part of the Sierra Club’s mission is to “explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth,” and we recommend that the Council examine the myriad roles MPD is asked to serve and consider moving some of these to other agencies, much like how parking enforcement is handled by DC’s Department of Public Works (DPW). Agencies other than MPD could be expanded to include the enforcement of petty violations, such as open-container laws, nuisance calls, and fishing violations. Such restructuring would make the outdoors more accessible to any person, but especially black, indigenous, and people of color, whose negative experiences with law enforcement may reduce their enjoyment of outdoor activities, including the District’s parks, rivers, and other wild and natural spaces. We support calls for the Council to reevaluate MPD resources and consider how they can be more effectively used in alternative programs, such as the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) and the Office of the Attorney General’s Cure the Streets Violence Interruption and Restorative Justice Programs.
Environmental Justice as an Element of Racial Justice
It is imperative to make decisions about the MPD and entire budget through a lens of racial justice. In addition to fair policing and justice, all communities deserve access to affordable housing and healthcare, access to good schools, safe neighborhoods, and to live in healthy environments, both indoors and outdoors.
The Sierra Club’s top priority is combating climate change in a framework that weighs social equity concerns. Like COVID-19 and police violence, climate change is affecting communities of color and low-income communities more harshly. We are generally pleased with the choices the Mayor has made with respect to environmental programs in this draft FY21 budget given the difficult fiscal environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, several worthy initiatives, including those that benefit disadvantaged communities, such as the lead-pipe replacement program (DOEE) and Vision-Zero program grants (DDOT), had their funding reduced or are otherwise not fully funded. We urge the Council to ensure full funding to the extent possible.
Conclusion
Current policing strategies that are insensitive to community needs should be rethought. Now is the time to make bold decisions about how our justice and safety programs can be best funded and structured in order to serve the needs – safety and justice – of our communities.
We appreciate the opportunity to submit written testimony on the budget of the Metropolitan Police Department.