The city of Denver announced plans to defund the police to fund the migrant crisis, as the Democratic city cuts the police budget by $8.4 million.
Progressive sanctuary city Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled a budget proposal Wednesday, allocating $89.9 million to help incoming undocumented migrants, whom he calls “new arrivals.”
The amount will come from approximately $45 million used for public programs and services.
Because of this reallocation, police and firefighters are among those expected to face budget cuts.
Johnston said it was the best option available to provide services to migrants.
Progressive sanctuary city Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled a budget proposal Wednesday, allocating $89.9 million to help incoming undocumented migrants, whom he calls “new arrivals.”
The city of Denver announced plans to defund the police to fund the migrant crisis as the Democratic city cuts the police budget by $8.4 million.
Homelessness in Denver, Colorado is a major problem, as is drug use and mental health issues for many of those who end up on the streets.
“After more than a year together facing this crisis, Denver finally has a sustainable plan to treat our newcomers with dignity while avoiding the worst cuts to city services,” Johnston said at the conference. press on “Operations for new arrivals and the 2024 budget”.
“We were often told that we could not be compassionate while remaining financially responsible. Today is proof that our toughest challenges can still be solved and that together, we will solve them.
Denver plans to spend $89.9 million on various migrant assistance programs in 2024, including $3 million for “program administration”, $51.7 million for “Shelter and Housing”, 9, $7 million for “Support Services,” $9.5 million for “One-time Capital Costs.” and $10 million for “Contingency.”
As a result, the fire department is expected to see budget cuts of approximately $2.5 million.
Additionally, the city confirmed the police department will face an $8.4 million cut, or nearly 2% of its total operating budget.
The Department of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resilience will face a budget cut of around 6.1 percent, while the Department of Transport and Infrastructure is expected to be reduced by 3.8 percent.
As a result of the reallocation, police and firefighters are among the departments expected to face budget cuts (Venezuelan migrants line up to obtain documents needed for admission to shelters at a migrant processing center, on May 9, 2023). in Denver, Colorado)
The amount will come from about $45 million used for public programs and services (Migrants rest in a makeshift shelter, January 6, 2023, in Denver)
Venezuelan migrants wait to obtain the necessary documents to be admitted to shelters at a migrant processing center May 9, 2023 in Denver, Colorado.
A migrant encampment seen in Denver, Colorado
Venezuelan migrants wait to be processed in Denver, Colorado. The sanctuary city, already home to 700,000 residents, is struggling to expand its limited housing.
Colorado’s capital is inundated with new migrants crossing the border, while the city is already on the brink in terms of resources.
With more than 40,000 arrivals in 2023 alone, the influx of migrants has contributed to a total migrant population of around 710,000 people in the city.
In response, Denver has already spent more than $42 million on migrant housing and medical services in 2023 and plans to exceed $100 million for similar spending in 2024.
Denver, like other cities like New York, is facing the full brunt of the national crisis of the flow of people across the southern border.
In January, progressive Denver Mayor Mike Johnston predicted that the city would need to spend 10 percent of its annual budget on migrants — and would also need an additional $100 million to provide them with housing, schooling and health care.
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