Sacramento Residents Want Real Public Safety — Not Just More Policing

Last year, Sacramento officials surveyed residents on budget priorities. Public safety ranked as the top concern, yet the Sacramento Police Department also received the strongest support for budget reduction. That should have sent a clear message: Residents want safety, but not through more investment in police.

Last week, the Sacramento City Council voted to fund many vacant police positions — channeling resources to unfilled law enforcement roles — while undercutting the community-based approaches residents support.

This reflects a clear disconnect between how the city defines “public safety” and what residents actually want.