Since the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis policeman in May, calls to “defund the police” have grown more prominent and mainstream.
Black Lives Matter, a global network purportedly representing black voices, is at the helm of efforts to slash police budgets and even abolish police departments altogether. As the country debates these proposals, it’s worth asking: Do black Americans support defunding the police?
-Black Lives Matter
Mostly false or misleading. Significant errors or omissions. Mostly make believe.
No, most black Americans do not support the national “defund the police” movement. A July Gallup poll of more than 36,000 people found that 81% of black Americans want police to spend the same amount or more time in their communities.
Only 19% of black Americans want police to spend less time in their neighborhoods.
Activists claim that taking away funding from law enforcement would help prevent racial injustices. But the reality is, defunding the police will harm vulnerable and low-income communities most.
The same Gallup poll found widespread support for sensible police reforms, such as changes to management, police accountability, and supporting community-based alternatives. This means that if Americans move past political slogans and engage in meaningful dialogue, there’s plenty of opportunity to enact sensible, bipartisan police reforms. Slashing budgets undermines these efforts and makes communities less safe.
For some, it’s unfortunately too late. At least 13 cities, including New York, have already cut funding from police department budgets or decreased officer numbers, with several more in the works. The fact that this is happening despite 8 out of 10 African Americans wanting police spending levels the same or higher begs the question: Why are their voices being silenced and ignored?
Join millions of Americans who support safety and security, and who want to restore order, civility, and peace to our communities. Sign our petition today.