The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) budget has been a subject of debate in recent years, particularly in the context of the “defund the police” movement. While the term “defund the police” has been interpreted in various ways, it generally refers to reallocating funds from police departments to other areas such as social services or community programs. In the case of the LAPD, the department’s budget has faced scrutiny and calls for reductions. However, it’s important to clarify that the LAPD has not been entirely defunded. Instead, there have been adjustments and reallocations within the department’s budget, including reductions in some areas and increases in others.
Lapd’s Defunding Amount
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) did not experience any official defunding in the traditional sense of the term. Instead, the city of Los Angeles reallocated a portion of the LAPD’s budget to other city services, such as mental health and homeless outreach programs.
In the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the LAPD’s budget was reduced by $150 million, or about 5% of its total budget. This reduction was part of a broader effort by the city to address systemic racism and inequality in the wake of the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.
The LAPD’s budget has since been restored to its pre-pandemic levels. In the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the LAPD’s budget is $1.9 billion, which is a 3% increase over the previous year.
| Fiscal Year | Budget (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | $1.8 billion |
| 2020-2021 | $1.65 billion |
| 2021-2022 | $1.8 billion |
| 2022-2023 | $1.85 billion |
| 2023-2024 | $1.9 billion |
## How did get Defunded?
Defunding is when a government or organization cuts funding to a program or agency. This can happen for several reasons, including:
- The program or agency is no longer considered a priority.
- The government or organization is facing budget cuts.
- The program or agency is not meeting its goals or objectives.
- There is a public outcry against the program or agency.
- The program or agency is involved in a scandal.
When a program or agency is defunded, it can have a significant impact on the people who rely on it. For example, if a social program is defunded, it could leave thousands of people without essential services. Similarly, if a research program is defunded, it could have a negative impact on the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Defunding can be a controversial issue, and there are often many different opinions on whether it is justified. However, it is important to remember that defunding is a very serious decision with far-ranging consequences. It is only something that should be considered after all other options have been exhausted.
| Reason for Defunding | Example |
|—|—|
| Program or agency no longer considered a priority | The government decides to cut funding to a program that provides funding for after-school programs. |
| Government or organization facing budget cuts | The government decides to cut funding to all programs by 10%. |
| Program or agency not meeting goals or objectives | A research program is defunded because it has not been able to produce any publishable results. |
| Public outcry against program or agency | A program that provides funding for sex education is defunded after a public outcry from conservative groups. |
| Program or agency involved in a scandal | A program that provides funding for job training is defunded after it is discovered that the program has been embezzling funds. |
Impact of Defunding on Law Enforcement
The defunding of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has had a significant impact on law enforcement in the city.
- Reduced patrol coverage: With fewer officers on the street, response times to 911 calls have increased.
- Fewer investigations: Nonviolent crimes, such as burglaries and thefts, are being investigated less frequently due to staffing shortages.
- Lower morale: Officers are under increased stress and morale has declined as they struggle to cover a large area with limited resources.
- Increased crime: In the months following the defunding, violent crime has risen by 4% and property crime by 6% compared to the same period the previous year.
| Year | Funding (Millions) | Sworn Officers | Violent Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1.1 Billion | 9,968 | 441 per 100,000 |
| 2020 | 0.98 Billion | 9,321 | 461 per 100,000 |
| 2021 | 1.05 Billion | 9,415 | 439 per 100,000 |
Budget Reductions and Reallocation
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) did not undergo traditional “defunding,” which involves significant budget cuts or elimination. However, it did experience some budget reductions and reallocations as part of broader city spending adjustments.
In fiscal year 2020-2021, LAPD’s budget was reduced by:
- $10 million from the general fund
- $15 million from overtime pay
Alternative Policing Models
Alongside budget adjustments, Los Angeles also explored alternative policing models in response to calls for reform. These models aim to:
- Reduce the role of armed officers in non-violent situations
- Increase community involvement and accountability
- Divert resources towards social services and prevention programs
Examples of these models include:
- Community Safety Partnership Program: Partners LAPD officers with social workers to respond to mental health and homelessness-related calls.
- Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) Team: Provides mobile crisis response by unarmed mental health professionals.
- Community Safety Officers: Unarmed civilians who assist with non-violent situations, such as traffic control and community engagement.
| Budget Item | Reduction |
|---|---|
| General Fund | $10 million |
| Overtime Pay | $15 million |
Yo, thanks for taking the time to check out this article on the LAPD’s defunding. It’s a juicy topic that’s been making waves lately, and we’re stoked that you’re curious about it. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates from us in the future, because we’re always digging into the nitty-gritty of what’s going down in our city. See you online, breh!