Minneapolis City Council expected to cut police budget, mayor threatens veto

The Minneapolis City Council is expected Wednesday to pass a measure to cut nearly $8 million for the mayor’s police budget, after recently trying unsuccessfully to dismantle the entire police department after the death of George Floyd.

Eleven of the council’s 13 members have already cast committee votes in favor of the biggest parts of the plan, suggesting passage of the overall bill is likely, according to the Associated Press.

The council’s effort – which supporters call "Safety for All” –  is the latest attempt in the “defund the police” movement since Floyd died May 25 while in the custody of Minneapolis police, sparking nationwide demonstrations against police brutality and racism.

Mayor Jacob Frey is threatening to veto the measure, if passed, amid soaring crime rates. The money the council is proposing to take from his $179 million budget would go to mental health teams, violence-prevention programs and other initiatives.

“I am actively considering a veto due to the massive, permanent cut to officer capacity,” Frey said. 

Violent crime rates in Minneapolis have surged since Floyd’s death. City police have recorded at least 532 gunshot victims this year, more than double the same period roughly a year ago. 

Los Angeles, New York City and Portland, Oregon, have already shifted funds from police departments to social services programs to try to provide new solutions for problems traditionally handled by police. The cuts have forced departments to lay off officers, cancel recruiting classes or scale back hiring goals, the wire service also reports.