Dear Menlo Park City Councilmembers,
My name is Dixie Blumenshine, I have been in contact with you individually and in various meetings over the past 8 months. As you have heard many times recently, the current model of policing is no longer (and never was) our best option for public safety given the dangers it brings to marginalized members of our communities, especially Black people and other people of color. Myself and a group of other citizens are interested in sharing ideas on potential changes and solutions with you. We are requesting a special meeting or agenda item so that citizens may share their requests and ideas with you, so that some actual change can be made after repeated but fruitless discussion. I think that it is important to redirect many responsibilities traditionally held by police officers to civilian service providers. In redirecting these tasks, we can address the abuse of power that has been historically used against communities of color. In doing so, it is also possible to potentially reduce costs associated with the Menlo Park Police Department.
I hope to hear back from you, or to soon continue the discussion on changes to policing and civilianization of some police duties in an upcoming city council meeting.
Thank you and best wishes
Dixie Blumenshine
