Video: Saint Paul Faith Leaders Reject Adding 50 Cops to Saint Paul’s Budget

ISAIAH Saint Paul clergy and faith leaders responded to the Saint Paul Police Department’s request for 50 cops by demanding a city budget that reflects community-first public safety and proactive investments to address the root causes of crime.

This is a stance of faith in response to Saint Paul’s Police Chief Todd Axtell’s request to add 50 officers during the next two years which would cost $4.5 million. In the last decade, investments in recreation centers, libraries, and economic development have gone down, while spending on police has gone up. As people of faith committed to racial, economic and social justice, we believe our city budget must make investments that promote community-first public safety, foster community wellness, and address the root causes of crime.