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Santa Barbara Police Station (file photo)
By Lauren Bray, edhat staff
The Santa Barbara City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to restructure its budget for the next fiscal year that includes removing $2 million towards the new police station.
The city is estimating it will lose $12.5 million this fiscal year and $10 million next fiscal year, which begins on July 1, mostly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The total budget was not formally approved and is expected to be voted on next week.
A majority of public comments urged the council to “defund the police department,” or more specifically to redirect funding from the new police station to community-based organizations and services, as part of a set of demands provided by Healing Justice, Black Lives Matter SB.
“We have no need for a new police station, what we really need is a more equitable community,” said Simone Ruskamp, a leader of the local Black Lives Matter chapter.
She was echoed by her co-leader Krystle Farmer-Sieghart who said, “The safest communities don’t have cops, the safest communities have resources.”
The proposal for a new police headquarters is projected to be $80 million. The current Santa Barbara Police Station, located at 215 E. Figueroa Street, was built in 1959 and is reportedly outdated, too small, and hasn’t been earthquake retrofitted. Last September, the City Council selected the Cota Commuter Parking Lot as the preferred site alternative for the new station, which is currently undergoing environmental review.
Councilmember Alejandra Gutierrez advocated for the removal of unsworn officer positions and instead, adding a beat officer and reimplementing beat coordinators into communities.
Santa Barbara Police Chief Lori Luhnow stated a more democratic style of policing is needed.
“As we move forward in reimagining what policing is, and I’m sure it’s gonna happen sooner rather than later on a national level, it’s finding things that we can remove off of our plate from responsibilities that really shouldn’t be police responses so that we can get out and build those relationships, especially with our youth and community members,” said Luhnow. “We’ll really have some long term discussion in the near future about how we police and what it really looks like for our community.”
Councilmember Eric Friedman proposed adding the following to the current budget: an evaluation of the police department’s spending of current resources; move parking enforcement away from the police department and into public works department; fund a minimum of four positions related to social work, mental health, and code enforcement; work with the county for a co-response effort with mental health professionals and officers; and work with local leaders in the black community to create a community center.
“This is not an attack on our local police department, [it’s] to ask for a very thorough look at how that funding could be reallocated and really address what in my mind is getting back to basics, supporting mental health and social services,” said Councilmember Kristen Sneddon.
The budget also includes a 5% cut for all city departments, promotional organizations, and event sponsorships, which include the Summer Solstice Celebration, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, and Old Spanish Days.
The Central Library Plaza Improvement Project, a redesign of Santa Barbara’s Central Library grounds, gained approval by councilmembers for the requested $1.115 million in funds, as well as the Point in Time homeless count for $50,000.
Additionally, the City Council agreed to fund the newly merged Santa Barbara and Goleta Chamber of Commerce proposal to implement a business recruitment plan and establish a new Economic Development division to oversee and manage multiple revitalization efforts. The Commerce requested $150,000 and the council agreed to $25,000.
The budget will be finalized during the city council meeting on Tuesday, June 16.
What does this mean? “Councilmember Eric Friedman proposed … moving parking enforcement away from the police department and into public works; add a minimum of four positions related to social work, mental health, and code enforcement…” Does he want to add these positions to the Police Department?
The voters in Santa Barbara elected the mayor and the city council, so citizens deserve exactly what they get.
Did our city council even vet these BLM chapter’s representatives? One co-leader has a twitter account with only 100 followers. How does BLM officially designate chapter leaders for each city? Before the city re-allocates funds and has the city agenda changed, suggest taking a closer look. Many demands from just two SBCC/UCSB students. However, where is the official BLM endorsement? A recent news coverage had a Raytheon employee stating that his request to co-organize a BLM protest with these co-leaders was ignored. Can the city council address the official status of organizers before proceeding with major actions?
I think it’s short-sighted to say that the new police station isn’t necessary. The one they currently operate out of could easily be flattened in an earthquake. The program for the building layout, its size and department make-up / functionality seems to be changing, but the need is definitely still there. Certain functions the PD handle now, should be delegated: parking enforcement, traffic enforcement, animal control, homelessness, etc. I hope the City Council returns to the numerous studies conducted in the past 30 years on why a police station is necessary. New questions to ask might be: what police functions need to be maintained as essential services? Essential Services Buildings require a higher degree of structural integrity than regular buildings, and are therefore more expensive to build.
she got less than 7,000 votes in a city of more than 90,000 residents. i’d say you’re a bit, well, wrong.
https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=208587
Exactly, you finally get it! Most of us are satisfied with how our local government works, imperfect as it may be. Some of you will never be satisfied no matter who is in charge. If you would like to provide some examples of a local government that works as you would like, then maybe there is something to discuss. I don’t know of any cities that have solved all of their problems and 100% of the citizenry are happy.
BLM is not a constitutional body with duly elected representatives following state law. It is a loose conglomeration of like-minded people who are working on an important issue. If the ideas they are presenting make sense to the electeds, they should be pursued. And as this process goes on, the BLM reps will probably be shown to be imperfect people just like the rest of us. Those imperfections do not detract from their messages.
That is blatant fearmongering and emotional pandering. The current building will NOT collapse in an earthquake. It meets all standards. It would need to be retrofitted if rehabilitated, but that does not mean it is not currently 99.99% safe.
Can the city even do this? The $2M is from increased sales tax to be used for infrastructure, right?
Isn’t there an oversight committee?
EdHat commentators are also “a loose conglomeration of like-minded people who are working on important issues”. Perhaps the city council would listen to us?
I agree, up to a point. However, perhaps we should look at fairer ways of deciding who wins an election? The mayor won with about 27% of the vote. In the districts, the district reps, some of them, seem to think they represent ONLY their districts. And in District 6, Harmon, there was an appointment and no opposition, nor was there in District 3, Gutierrez, Oscar. In District 1, Gutierrez, Alejandra, won with about 950 votes, 10 more than her opponent, Dominguez. All these districts are equi-sized with about 15,000 residents. It is not right to say that “citizens deserve exactly what they get” when most of the residents in a district don’t care enough to vote or even have a contest.
I read elsewhere (Noozhawk) that there is a demand for funding for a “black” community center and the council will look into it. If that happens, shouldn’t there then be a Latino community center – or public funding for La Casa; and an Asian community Center; and public funding for the rest, a “white” community center? How can the council justify funding a community center for just 2% of the community?
4:01-don’t you get it? They got what they deserved in that they let others choose. Many responsible people defer to those who are motivated to vote and figure this out. A decision not to vote is a decision.
The funds are from Measure C, a one-cent general purpose sales tax to increase the funding for roads and vital infrastructure and programs. As long as the funds are spent locally in these areas, the council decides where it goes. It doesn’t have to go to the new police station.
“Sundown”? It is true that that word refers to the signs that were posted in so many cities telling non-whites that they had better be out of town by sundown?
Refer to the Needs Assessment Studies to decide for yourself: https://policestation.santabarbaraca.gov/planning-documents/
@4:18 – the article above states the council will continue conversations about a black community center. There is no need for a white community center. Now really listen to this part, EVERY COMMUNITY CENTER IN TOWN IS WHITE. Would you also advocate for a men’s rights march and straight pride parade? Nope, same thing applies here. Thank you for listening.
@ 4:18 – There is a white community center, it’s called Santa Barbara.
1:14 pm, what is the basis for this interpretation?
4:18 – Whites don’t need a community center (we”re not a disparate group), Latinos have one (La Casa de la Raza) and the Asian Resource Center (at UCSB) serves that community, and I’m sure there are more. Did you not bother to look these up before complaining about the “‘black’ community center” being proposed? Why do you oppose such a center? Dig deep (probably easy since you’re not a very discreet racist) and explain why the black community doesn’t deserve a center?
“I don’t oppose it, I just don’t want my tax dollars to help in any way.” Got it.
No- the campaign for Measure C relied on promises for two things:
1. Improved Roads
2. the New Police Station- which has been outdated for 30 years.
This Council needs to do their homework and stop making knee jerk decisions and posting pithy things on Facebook. Get serious.
Does Eric really believe that the Public Works Department is the better venue to supervise Social Workers? How absurd. The idea that issues of mental health, social service problems etc are void of the need for a public safety presence is absurd. But hey, let’s experiment- after all, the Council spent a whole two weeks coming up with these “decisions”
Not fair to associate another reader’s handle with this past history. Long ago, the Calif city of Hawthorne was one of these “sundown” cities. Now that city is just 10% white, having become a diverse community. Our city should not rush to reallocate millions without careful consideration of resources. Not just react to name calling or loudest voice.
I see no need to replace the current police station. It’s fine as it is. So much money has been wasted on building new prison facilities, it’s mind-boggling. And the costs keep going up and up. Some sort of police force needs to exist to maintain law and order, especially when it comes to violent crimes, murders and rapes, not to mention outrageous white collar crimes. There should be an entirely new corps to deal with the homeless, mentally ill, domestic abuse, etc. The police department must submit to a haircut, a BUZZCUT. Overtime pay is out of control.
12:59 – Good point, but why not send a social worker with police on alert? The first point of contact in a domestic issue should be a trained professional social worker, not a cop loaded with weapons. The mere presence of cops in some situations is what sets them off. Look at the peaceful protests that turned violent – all was fine until the riot squads showed up and fueled the flames instead of calming them.
But Pitmix, you can’t say the courthouse gardens, or the waterfront bathrooms, or the parks, sidewalks, dolphin fountain, MTD buses, or the library are only for the benefit of one race. In our economy the main economic benefits accrue to the already wealthy, which is mainly white people, but many of the city-funded things are of great benefit to all of us.
Shame, remember this the next time a family member needs crisis intervention with a mentally distraught kin or needs someone to calm an angry and drunk spouse and they send a cop with a gun and pepper spray and the next thing you know the kin is dead.
AHCHOO – not sure you should be touting being able to use public bathrooms, parks, and buildings as a measure of racial equality. This is clearly not the public funding Pitmix and others are talking about. If you think all races being able to access these public necessities is somehow evidence that systemic racism is not an issue, then we have a LONG way to go…..
Choo, many facilities were off limits to many groups in many states until the 60’s. So you are only referring to fairly recent history for your examples. Latinos had to sue in Santa Ana CA in the 40s for equal education and even now there are wide disparities in education for the various groups. But if you want to argue that the rules are different now, so everything has been fixed; the current protests beg to differ with you.
SBSent, would be interesting to know how many routine calls have explosive subplots. My guess is very few, but if you have the data to show otherwise, then that would be something that has to be addressed.
I didn’t say that systemic racism is not an issue! It definitely is! We need to make changes. I’m just saying that public funding, today, in Santa Barbara, is not solely for the benefit of one race. I thought we were talking about current and recent decisions being made by our current city council.
Pit, you hit the nail on the head- impossible to predict when a “routine” call goes sideways- once it does, its a bit too late to call i. Reinforcements. However a model that many areas- including county- uses is “co-response” to such calls- a Mental Health worker teams with a Sheriff deputy who receives special training- Social Workers also co-respond at times w law enforcement to higher risk domestic situations. It’s not a new concept. Takes more resources but ultimately woukd save $$ esp re the costs of jail bookings- if calls can be diffused without an arrest needed- everyone wins.
I am not sure that a community service worker can do fingerprints. When my house was broken into and computer stuff and a camera were stolen, I appreciated having the police, appreciated that they took fingerprints or tried to, not that the burglar was caught. It was reassuring, however, to my insurance company — I am not sure, that is, I don’t know, if a community service worker’s report would have been accepted since the company asks for a “police” report.
4:51 – Why would they send a “community service worker” to investigate a crime scene? That IS the job of the police. Don’t worry, diversifying response away from cops only will not result in social workers trying to solve murders or take down drug rings. It’s simply putting the best trained person there for the specific job. Police would still investigate crimes, break up parties, arrest drunk drivers, protect the public during an active crime, etc.
Now that the Police Department does not get a new police station, can our Saturday Farmer”s Market stay put? Hope so!
Someone brings up a valid, reasonable point about discrimination in funding using taxpayer money and they get personally attacked and called a “racist”, in an unfounded, libelous manner. Nowadays, when people don’t have a logical or valid response to an argument or point, they launch a personal unfounded attack meant to silence the other person. I think the silent majority is growing by the day in the face of this type of tactics, attitude and rhetoric. I also think libel and slander lawsuits will likely be on the rise.
We citizens wanted the administration and employees to take a 30% paycut due to the loss of revenues, but “they” decided that 3% was all that they could give up. Because they can. We citizens do not control of this government.
These morons are steering us right into bankruptcy and austerity. Make no mistake, the city of SB is broke. Years of stupidity, nepotism, myopia, political favors has created a budget nightmare that can only be solved by reducing the city’s bloated headcount. And yet, these morons, led by the “Queen of all Idiots”, are doing their very best to avoid the tough decisions and worse, put us all at risk. In their opinion its better that we put the lives of our public safety workers at risk and to continue to spend, spend spend to keep their friends and co-workers on the payroll. There was not a single mention of cutting the largest expense on the city’s budget. Headcount. Instead, they’re cutting the funding for the police station to placate a small minority of very loud protestors. ————————————- All of these people need to go but first on the list is Paul Casey. He should be fired today. He is 100% responsible for the fiscal nightmare and cultural apathy that is eating our city. Fire him and please, please, for the love of all things good. Get rid of Murillo. She is by far the worst mayor in our city’s history and the worst possible person to help us steer around this iceberg. ———————————- Ask yourself, who is going to pay for all of these decisions? The largest employer in the county is the government! Followed by tourism… One party takes, the other has been decimated. So where is the money to keep the 1000’s of city employees earning their 30% above market rate salaries? In your bank, in your kids bank in their kids bank.
It was the rep from Black Lives Matter who said the police don’t need a new building. I doubt she has actually analyzed the situation—it was more of a statement that people need services, not new buildings.
Remember all this next time someone in your family needs a police officer and they send you a 20 year old social worker
Not sure why “Sundown” was selected as a handle but yes, there were many cities with these laws. In Los Angeles County they included South Gate and Inglewood and Lakewood for example. All were fearful of white flight and declining property values. The Inglewood Realtors were prohibited by their group rules from showing properties to black families for example. All this being said, the use of “Sundown” is not comfortable. Check out also “Sundowner Syndrome.”
Not sure why “Sundown” was selected as a handle but yes, there were many cities with these laws. In Los Angeles County they included South Gate and Inglewood and Lakewood for example. All were fearful of white flight and declining property values. The Inglewood Realtors were prohibited by their group rules from showing properties to black families for example. All this being said, the use of “Sundown” is not comfortable. Check out also “Sundowner Syndrome.”
a 20 yr old social worker supervised by the PUBLIC WORKS DEPT no less!
How can you bring yourself to live in such a poorly run city? If I hated it that much I would move to somewhere better. There must be tons of better places, right?
This comment is misleading. No one is proposing that when someone is breaking into your house, they will send you a social worker. However, if you come home and find that your house has been robbed, they will send you a community service officer to take the report. And if a neighbor suspects you have been neglecting your grandmother, they will send a social worker then. Misleading comments don’t help the conversation, unless that is your goal.
We citizens? I guess that means you and your buddies? Unfortunately, each of the employee groups that work for the City have a union contract that limits this kind of option. And many of the employees can’t afford to live on a salary that is cut 30%. Remember that the majority of staff are not managers or public safety employees. The City has to have a balanced budget, so if they don’t have enough revenue, they will continue the layoffs they started with 400 hourly workers. That should make you and you buddies happy.
The majority of public funding has been used to support mostly one race for a long time. Isn’t it time that a few other races get a bigger piece of the pie?
Gordo, yes we are a loose conglomeration, but we are definitely not like minded. Why should the City Council listen to an anonymous group that frequently makes comments that have to be nannied? Mostly I see a lot of criticism but not a lot of constructive ideas.
Pit, you really dont get it, do you? Santa Barbara didnt happen by accident. It was designed and then polished into the jewel it became. As someone who loves this city and wants to see it shine, it is absolutely my duty to push for greatness. Or at the very least, demand prudent stewardship so future generations have a chance to enjoy its exceptional character and design. To those of us who love SB, there is no sitting back and watching one of the nicest city’s in the world woefully march towards its ruin. However, its seems to you and the buffoons at city hall, the status quo is ideal. To many others its a sign of failure. And on almost every metric measured, our city is failing.
PITMIX how exactly how the “majority of public funding’ has been used only to benefit one race? Were only members of one race allowed to access such funding, or given such funding? Or are you speaking to the demographics of SB having a lower percentage of “minorities”? I am not sure what you mean. Public funding goes to the public regardless of race. Pubic funding cannot be used in a discriminatory manner by targeting one group over another.
6:57 pm Thank you for the answer. The question I asked on this subject was just that. Even a straight forward act on Edhat is fraught with political and emotional tinge it seems.
12:25, white people have been doing better than other ethnic groups, on average, since this country was started. Therefore, they have benefitted from public funding more than other groups. Simple, right?
“each of the employee groups that work for the City have a union contract”. Therein lies the head of the snake.
SHAME – You wouldn’t want a paramedic performing brain surgery on you, would you? Cops aren’t trained in many of the things we expect them to handle (eg, dealing with domestic issues, drug addiction, etc). Why not have trained professionals handle these things so the cops can focus on protecting us and enforcing the law? Seems like a good plan to me.
It’s a jewel if you have money. If you don’t it is just another barrio to live in because low-paying jobs are available. To the extent that we have some amenities that other cities don’t, it is because there have always been a lot of people with money living here and who were interested in historical preservation and creating public parks and the like. I continually ask you and posters like yourself to give examples of cities who are grappling with the same problems that we have and have solved them and created little paradises, but none of you are ever able to provide any examples. Until you do you are just Spiro Agnew’s nattering nabobs of negativity.
Pitmix- the problem with your scenario is that it ignores the frequently explosive “sub-plots” to what many term “only” family disputes, neglect, mental illness etc…… so the neglected grandma turns out to also be the abused grandma, and the grandson, who happens to have a warrant out is hiding in the back room, high, and in possession of a weapon when the “social worker” or “community service officer” arrives….. ; that is just one of dozens/hundreds of “real life” scenarios/circumstances that I have observed while working in the court system. I know there is a middle ground, but please, people, do not naively break it down into “either-or” types of police calls.
I’d rather have more cops who can handle A through Z, than some social worker who can only handle items A through C. Someone suggested having cops “on standby” when one of these case workers is sent in to “calm” an out-of-control relative (“kin”). How is that going to work? One thing I know about policing is that you n-e-v-e-r know what is going to happen, so sent in those who are prepared…not those who are ill-prepared.