New York police department defunded, communities in need to expect reforms

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson agreed to cut $1 billion from the police department’s budget.

New York’s police department have the largest force in America, with more than 55,000 employees.

NYPD’s budget in 2020 was almost $6 billion but after facing pressure from thousands of constituents calling to defund the police, New York City decided to cut $1 billion from the police budget.

As de Blasio announced a budget deal was reached, he said he felt it was important to take money from the NYPD's capital program and put it into the hands of young people and communities in need.

Lawmakers and officials are divided, some aren’t satisfied with the cut, and some believed that he went too far with cutting NYPD budget.

Johnson told reporters that he wanted the cuts to be more significant: "This isn't a billion dollars. And I am not going to pretend that it is."

Johnson continued, "To everyone who is disappointed that we did not go farther I want to let you know — I am disappointed as well ... But this budget process involves the mayor who was not budging."

Comptroller Scott Stringer believes “the budget does not have veto power” and proposed his own plan.

Patrick Lynch, president of the New York City Police Benevolent Association said that the mayor’s message to New Yorkers was clear — New York is going to have fewer cops on the streets.

"Shootings more than doubled again last week. Even right now, the NYPD does not have enough staffing to shift cops to one neighborhood without making another neighborhood less safe.”

He continued emphatically, “We will say it again: The mayor and the city council have surrendered the city to lawlessness. Things won't improve until New Yorkers hold them responsible."

New York’s mayor made the decision on cutting the budget on  June 7, 2020 after 10 nights of mass protest against police violence. Since then there were no more updates on NYPD budget cuts.