Residents urge city council to take a look at public safety dollars

ICN file photo

 By Lucy Perry
Indiana Central News

The Terre Haute City Council met live online Thursday evening via YouTube to address various concerns, including public safety funding.
 
Council President George Azar opened up the meeting by pointing out several email letters were recently received concerning public safety local income tax money and preferences on how the local citizens believe it should be spent. The letters posted to the city's website just prior to the meeting.

 A common theme in all of the letters is for “care not cages” and pleas to consider options other than jail for offenders.

One resident, Rachel Hellman, writes:

 "We Can do better." She adds, "This city is in dire need for increased resources for the most vulnerable.As our country reckons with its history of systematic racism and violence, it is time to take a close look at where our  public safety dollars are going. "

 Another resident, Isaac Wonderlin, writes:

"It is time to rethink what public safety means to us here in Terre Haute."

He is concerned about jail overcrowding and wants to see an end the "school-to-prison pipeline" within the community. 

"Mass incarceration is a plague upon our society," he insists.

Possibilities suggested for funding areas include investing into mental health services, substance abuse programs and homeless needs rather than to law enforcement.
 
Councilman Todd Nation commented that receiving so many messages from the public is an indicator the issues need to be taken seriously. 

​Councilwoman Martha Crossen agrees, noting that "recent events have brought the issue to a head," although the issues have needed attention for some time, she added.

The letters written by local residents on the matter can be found on the city’s website.

Mayor Duke Bennett and Terre Haute Police Department Chief Shawn Keen are expected to speak on the matter at a future council meeting.