An Unwavering Commitment to Real Reform
Kamala Harris—our Vice President, former prosecutor, recently made headlines for a notable donation that could ripple through the Biden Administration’s police reform policies. Let’s break down what this really means.
The Safer America Plan: Laying the Groundwork
President Biden’s Safer America Plan is a cornerstone of his administration, focusing on community policing and crime prevention. Central to this plan is the funding of 100,000 additional police officers and poured millions into mental health, substance use treatment, crisis responders, and social workers. This plan emphasizes prevention, aiming to tackle the root causes of crime by lightening law enforcement’s burden.
Community Violence Interventions and Gun Laws
But it doesn’t stop there. The plan also carves out provisions for expanded community violence interventions and enforcement of stringent gun laws, including mandatory background checks and bans on assault weapons. During Biden’s first 18 months, initiatives also improved police accountability, addressed the issue of ghost guns, and cracked down on gun traffickers, a commendable feat.
Financial and Organizational Resources for Law Enforcement
Biden proposed a $37 billion budget for FY 2023 focusing on restoring community trust and promoting evidence-based policing. This covers training, recruitment, retention, bonuses, student loan repayment, and mental healthcare for officers. Districts across America will also receive support to clear court backlogs, solve murders, and combat serious crimes, like fentanyl trafficking and organized retail theft.
Balancing Crime Fighting and Justice Reform
The Biden Administration’s police reform plan includes community violence intervention programs and aims to address criminal justice disparities such as the crack-powder cocaine sentencing gap. This dual focus on law enforcement and systemic reform highlights a progressive approach to public safety, which has also been met with wet blankets from both sides of the political aisle.
The Partisan Divide on Crime
Crime and public safety have, predictably, turned into a partisan divide. Conservatives emphasize public order, while progressives often focus on police misconduct. Harris, with her prosecutorial background, has faced both criticism and praise—it seems she’s never had an easy ride balancing her tough-on-crime persona with the push for progressive reforms.
Executive Orders and Their Scope
The Biden administration recently signed a new executive order on police reform, improving data collection, revising use-of-force standards, and placing limits on law enforcement militarization. This executive order also bans chokeholds except in deadly force situations and promotes body-worn cameras.
Pressure from Activists
Activists like Patrisse Cullors are pushing for more aggressive reforms, including defunding the police. Biden and Harris feel the heat to lean more radically in their decisions. Yet, there’s skepticism from activists, although some anticipate more federal investigations into police departments and greater federal influence through funding and grants under Biden’s Department of Justice.
Moving Forward
Harris’s recent donation puts a spotlight on the administration’s juggling act between bolstering law enforcement and staying true to their commitments to criminal justice reform. In a political landscape filled with skepticism and activist pressure, the Biden-Harris administration has its work cut out for them. However, given their current trajectory, it’s evident they aim to strike a balance between maintaining public safety and advocating for progressive reforms.
Final Thoughts
The commitment to funding police while investing in community services and justice reforms reflects a nuanced strategy to tackle crime holistically. Whether you agree with it or not, one thing’s for sure—the Harris donation highlights the complexity and challenges of modern-day governance. And in these intricate times, it’s critical to stay informed, vigilant, and, most importantly, involved.
Sources
- FACT SHEET: President Biden’s Safer America Plan
- More or Less Progressive
- The Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Policing is a Foundation to Build Upon
- Kamala Harris praised ‘defund the police’ movement in June 2020 radio interview
- Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Announces Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gun Crime and Ensure Public Safety
