LEBANON, N.H. (WCAX) – The defund police movement has spread to Lebanon, New Hampshire. The campaign is called “Care Not Cops” but it is similar to the national movement taking place in communities across the country. The Upper Valley Democratic Socialists of America are getting the word out about their proposal, which they will present to the Lebanon City Council at a public meeting next month.
The group wants to cut the city’s police budget, which is a little more than $6 million, by 50%. They say the money is best served elsewhere, with organizations that focus on substance abuse and mental health, which they say sparks crime. “What we are asking the city council of Lebanon to do is to actually act proactively to address the root causes of those issues by providing funding for social services in town,” said Noelle Warinsky of the Upper Valley DSA. “It’s not necessarily about the name. It’s about the actions, and the actions are reallocating budget funds to the resources that need them,” said Devin Wilkie of the Upper Valley DSA. “I don’t agree that a 50% budget cut to the Lebanon Police Department is actually going to accomplish what they […]
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