I write to express my concern about the actions and intentions of current Councilman Jeff Dennis in Bowling Green, particularly his liking of tweets promoting the #DefundThePolice movement on Twitter, now known as X. As a resident of this tremendous city, I believe it is crucial to address the implications of such a stance, given the safety and well-being of our community.
The tweets liked by Councilman Jeff Dennis included one that stated, “Since #DefundThePolice is gaining strength but a lot of people don’t have much background in public finance, here are a few thoughts from a government budget analysis just to get you started.” The second tweet stated, “Some of y’all really think defunding the police is radical and crazy but they defund schools every year. Chicago shut down 50 schools in black and brown communities at once saying they don’t have the money. That same year, the police budget increased.”
Bowling Green has always been known as a safe and close-knit community, thanks in large part to our dedicated emergency services, including our police department. These heroic individuals aid in providing order and ensuring the well-being of our citizens every day. However, Councilman Dennis’s support for their defunding raises questions about the future of these vital services and their ability to function effectively in the community.
First and foremost, I wonder what a defunded police agenda would look like in Bowling Green if Councilman Dennis were to have his way. Would this result in the termination of police officers, leaving our community vulnerable to rising crime rates? Would it lead to cuts in pensions, which could potentially deter experienced officers from serving in our city? Furthermore, could a defunded police department have the necessary resources and manpower to respond effectively to emergencies, ensuring our citizens’ safety?
In recent times, we have unfortunately witnessed an increase in crime, including a tragic double homicide within the last month, as reported in link to the news article (https://bgindependentmedia.org/update-suspect-and-victims-in-double-homicide-all-affiliated-with-bg-restaurant/). Considering these events, it is deeply unsettling to contemplate the idea of defunding our exceptional police department. Instead, now more than ever, we should be rallying behind our officers and providing them with the support and resources they need to keep our community secure.
In conclusion, Bowling Green is blessed to have such heroic individuals serving us in various capacities, and we owe it to ourselves and future generations to support them fully. However, Councilman Jeff Dennis’s support for #DefundThePolice raises legitimate concerns about his intentions concerning the safety and well-being of our city and community.
Austin J. Mass
Bowling Green
