Democrat-run cities across the U.S. are fast burning through taxpayer funds and citizen resources in order to accommodate the multitudes of illegal aliens who took them up on their offer of sanctuary. Among these beleaguered cities is Denver, whose communications liaison just days ago pleaded with illegal aliens to seek out opportunities further afield.
Denver, a city of roughly 710,000 souls that saw over 40,000 illegal aliens arrive just last year, appears to be taking another bold step in the wrong direction.
The city’s Democratic leadership has decided to risk financially compromising the Denver Police Department’s ability to fight crime in order to service the foreign nationals whose very presence in the country is unlawful.
The city confirmed to the Daily Caller News Foundation that it will be cutting the DPD’s budget by $8.4 million — roughly 1.9% of its total operating budget — along with other critical municipal services so that it can provide $89.9 million worth of services to inbound illegal aliens, $25 million that has already been spent in the first quarter of 2024.
Democrat Mayor Mike Johnston’s office has attempted to put a positive spin on the police department budget cuts, telling DCNF in a statement, “Mayor Johnston and the city has invested to add 167 new police recruits to our force in 2024. This puts us on the path to meet the full authorized strength of the police department and improve our ability to respond to 911 calls and follow up on investigations across the city.”
It is presently unclear to what extent these cuts will impact the ability of police to address Denver’s rock-bottom score of 1 on the Neighborhood Scout total crime index, where 100 is safest. The chances of becoming the victim of a violent crime and property crime in the liberal city are 1 in 95 and 1 in 16, respectively.
“After more than a year of facing this crisis together, Denver finally has a sustainable plan for treating our newcomers with dignity while avoiding the worst cuts to city services,” Johnson said in a statement Wednesday. “So many times we were told that we couldn’t be compassionate while still being fiscally responsible. Today is proof that our hardest challenges are still solvable, and that together we are the ones who will solve them.”
Extra to defunding the police, Johnson’s “sustainable plan” involves reducing hiring for various other municipal positions, purchasing fewer supplies, and deferring numerous technology and capital projects.
KDVR-TV reported that among the departments that will also see cuts are the Sheriff’s Department, by 2.2%; the Executive Director of Safety, by 2.4%; the Public Library, by 1.5%; the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, by 3.8%; and Denver Economic Development, by 2.1%. The fire department will also suffer a $2.5 million reduction.
These cuts will apparently free up $45.9 million to alternatively blow on illegal aliens.
From the $89.9 million budgeted for “newcomers” this year, $3 million will reportedly go toward program administration; $51.7 million will go toward housing; $9.7 million will go toward workforce training, case management, and other support services; $6 million will go toward transportation; $9.5 million will go toward one-time capital costs; and another $10 million will be sunk into contingency costs.
Johnston intimated during a press conference Wednesday that this is more or less an investment in a new workforce.
In his remarks, Johnston conflated legal and illegal immigration, likening those now descending on his city to the Vietnamese, Irish, Chinese, and other waves of migrants who have in bygone decades legally settled in the United States. He further suggested that “Denver’s dream for our city and the American dream of our newcomers are aligned,” suggesting the city will ultimately be able to take advantage of this unlawfully imported workforce.
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