This resolution is pure politics. It is both short-sighted and bad policy.
First, to state the obvious: Public Safety is the number one priority in this year’s budget as it has been in every budget during my two terms as Mayor. The City Council has also consistently ranked public safety at the top of its list of priorities. Since 2002, we have increased the number of sworn police on the streets by 350. Last year in the face of an economic downturn, I was willing to increase taxes to maintain the higher level of sworn personnel. City Council was not, and instead rolled back taxes.
Second, this resolution ignores the basic way in which Atlanta, and all cities, work. To say that we can address crime and broader public safety issues only through sworn officers ignores the critical role of the courts and corrections in our democracy. Some 70% of personnel and related costs in our budget are dedicated to the necessary functions of police, fire, corrections and courts. Non-sworn personnel within these departments are critical to making the entire system work. Leaving out the non-sworn personnel and the courts and corrections functions when viewing our investment in public safety will dramatically reduce the effectiveness of sworn police and fire personnel.
Moreover, 13 members of City Council are suggesting that other aspects of the City’s work are irrelevant to the quality of life of Atlanta residents, including matters that directly affect public safety. City Council must believe that closing recreation centers, reducing parks maintenance, eliminating homelessness programs, cutting investment in traffic safety and road maintenance, laying off personnel in the support departments that serve the Police Department and Fire Department all have no impact on crime. I disagree, as would every mayor across America.
This Resolution outlines a decision-making process about next year’s budget that will lead to the very thing City Council claims to want to avoid: reduced levels of public safety throughout the City.
As I seek to offer my final budget recommendation to the Council in May, I will be guided by my conscience, Atlanta residents, civic leaders and business owners. The Council will adopt my recommendations or modify them as they did last year.
If Atlanta seeks to be a best in class American city, it must be a safe city, a green city, a creative city and a caring city. This resolution ignores essential elements of what makes Atlanta great.
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