Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti scraps plans to increase LAPD budget, amid 'defund' movement

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti this week announced that he is redirecting $100-150 million in funds initially meant for the city's police department into investing in communities of color. 

The mayor's previously proposed budget for the southern California central city funnels $1.8 billion to the police department, a number that will now be decreased in order to allow $250 million of funds to be allocated to "reinvesting in black communities and communities of color."

Garcetti also announced the creation of a Civil and Human Rights Commission that will have its inaugural meeting next week.

"We can't walk to the promised land in a day, but this is a start," said the mayor.

Garcetti's announcement comes during the second week of nationwide protests about police brutality toward the black community in the wake of the death of George Floyd. One element of these protests has been the call to "defund the police," which has gained traction in the past days.

LAPD Chief Michel Moore responded to news of the proposed budget cut by saying, "I remain steadfast in my belief that the continued funding of essential functions of our Department equates to public safety." 

The size of this budget reduction is significant, requiring a top-to-bottom assessment including how we go about our most basic operations," continued Moore's statement.

This week, Garcetti came to the defense of Chief Moore after he spoke inelegantly about the looters in the city of Los Angeles, comparing them to the police officers who have now been charged in the death of George Floyd. 

"I’ve known this man’s heart for decades. When I heard him say what he said I knew that he did not mean it…It was wrong," said Garcetti. Moore quickly apologized for his comments.