Evansville Not Looking to De-Fund the Police Department

Evansville Not Looking to De-Fund the Police Department

Tonight from downtown where he spoke with the city council president-- about the possibility of that movement reaching the river city the death of george floyd has prompted protests in over 150 cities across the nation, and now some of those cities are calling for their police departments to be de-funded, but that's not the case here in the river city.

There are some things that are in the works that wee looking to make community relations even better than what they are, so as far as like a defunding of the police, at this point in time, id say no.

It way too early to mention anything, but know that there are some serious conversations happening, and we are working to really make sure that things keep continuing to progress in our community?

At this time, there is no push to defund the evansville police department from council members or a majority of protesters but in minneapolis, the site of the death of george floyd, citizens and elected officials have come together to demand a change in their city.?we are here today to begin the process of ending the minneapolis police department.

Dissolve?our commitment is to end our city toxic relationship with the minneapolis police department.

To end policing as we know it?

On sunday, 9 of 13 minneapolis city council members stated that they wanted to abolish the minneapolis police department.

Protestors and council members want to redirect the mpd budget towards youth programs, mental health services, and addiction treatments.?police are not the right response for a myriad of issues.

Mental health crises, domestic violence calls, opioid overdoses?

The protesters say that cops are asked to regulate parts of society that they are not best fit to control including drug overdoses, mental health crises, and homelessness, and protesters are looking to implement community led safety strategies in place of the police department.

But, not all cities asking for a de- funding of the police are looking to abolish their police departments, though.

Los angeles mayor eric garcetti agreed to de-funding by slashing between $100 million to $150 million from the proposed lapd budget.

And in evansville, the epd echoed the city counselors statement saying that they haven heard any plans of defunding, and they plan to continue serving the community like they have since 1863.

Reporting live in evansville, jake thomas 44 news.

New tonight- at five congressional