Perspectives: Defunding the Police

George Floyd's death put the U.S. criminal justice system under scrutiny, with many demanding police reform policies. Some protesters and activists are rallying around a cry to "defund the police." Some left-rated voices advocated for addressing systemic issues and reforming communities by reallocating significant funds from law enforcement to housing and education budgets. Several also called for an end to mass incarceration, police militarization, and police in schools. Some voices from the right argued that police systems should remain intact, pointing to possible correlations between cities with progressive law enforcement policies and rising crime rates. Many voices from all sides of the spectrum advocated for some form of police reform or reduced funding.