Salinas pulls $1.39M dollars from police budget Share Updated: 9:25 AM PDT Jun 9, 2021 Share Updated: 9:25 AM PDT Jun 9, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript Alina city council voting to cut the police budget by more than a million dollars. The vote comes after an hours long meeting action. News eight reporter Alani Letang has a breakdown of the vote and what happens next? Council member Barrera. No mayor craig. Yes motion fails. Salinas Police Department will now have $1.39 million dollars less in their budget truly, it's disappointing after lengthy discussions with city council city departments, followed by dozens of public comments, all factoring into the police budget decision. And if you don't think this town is important enough to put the money to be safe, that I don't understand anybody that talks about anything not being safe. Crime provisions starts with funding social programs and creating opportunities. The crime rate has decreased and thanks to those teachers, counsellors and community based organizations, council member Rocah mayor Craig. No Motion passes. The council voted 3-4 in favor of pulling police dollars. We support our police department but at the same time we need to shift the funding a little bit right now so that the neighborhoods can see an investment. Do we always just say the answer to public safety? All of you to increase, increase, increase the police budget? We could say, okay, let's invest in the other areas that ensure the longevity of this time of peace. Originally, the proposed budget for Salinas police is 53,028,000, 645 from the city's $121 million proposed expenditure budget or reduce police budget means eliminating four open sworn positions and one non sworn position, but no layoffs. It would also reduce supplies and services. Mayor Kimberly craig warning the council of the possible repercussions. While I recognize the intent of what the council was proposing with the decrease in police costs, There will be an even larger jump in that number next year. The $1.39 million $660,000 for sidewalks, $700,000 into the city savings account. Assistant police chief Roberto Felice says they won't feel the impacts until about september when six officers retire and they won't be able to fill the positions. We certainly might go back to the, to the council and say, hey, we need you to think your decision because now it's affecting our community. We hope it's not, we're not going to get there. So you don't have the word. We will be there to answer the call for service. We will be there for your safety in Salinas. I'm Melanie Letang KSTW Action News eight. Mhm.