Defund the Police and Invest in Community Based Services and Support

The City of Ottawa needs to defund those services that are actively harming citizens (aka the police) and repurpose those funds into services that actually make a difference when it comes to safety and well-being. Police violence is an ongoing issue and this violence is rooted in systemic racism. I fear police as a white woman and I can't even imagine the fear BIPOC experience daily at the hands of police. To serve and protect is a joke at this point when all police are effectively doing is intimidating, harassing and attempting to meet their quota. Further, violent crimes are not prevented by the police they merely responded to after the fact.

Reform has failed and the time has come to dismantle, defund and redistribute the OPS budget back to the social services the community sorely needs. Better public transit, affordable housing, mental health services, family care etc.

This city deserves better. Defund the police!