In recent weeks Loudoun County has seen amazing protests from Brambleton to Leesburg. These recent protests have shown us how our communities are in unity and in support with Black Lives Matter and how enough is enough. While it was moving those fighting and others in solidarity, the main purpose was to show that we need change to our policing system. Which currently prioritizes Law enforcement more than our communities. It is time for our local Government to be taking action. We need to be giving more money to schools so that we can train teachers on how they can promote diversity and inclusivity. To fund more education about racism and to stop glamorizing our history. Many of our teachers and school officials give racial bias that needs to stop as they are the people who influence young people. As well as giving more mental health outlets and opportunities for low-income individuals and places like our juvenile and adult detention centers.

We need to reallocate parts of the Sheriff's Office Budget to resources like:

- Social Workers

- Crisis workers trained in de-escalations

-Counselors

-Planned parenthood

-More homeless shelters/Women's shelters

-Night classes

- Free School resources for low-income families.

- Affordable health care 

Our Demands

Police lose their certification after a police brutality incident.

Reject any proposed increase to the Sheriff's Office/ Police Budget

Train cops to use de-escalation methods instead of first using their weapons.

More training on topics that focus on mental health, abuse, and racial bias.

Police Officers should have psychological screenings annually.

No new Police Cruisers

Require Officers to get more versatile and in depth training in variety of topics

Defund the Sheriff's Office at least 10% in the upcoming Fiscal Year Budgets and Develop a plan for reallocating Resources towards community solutions.

Transfer mental health, addiction, or social services jobs and funds to health and Human Services, Education.

Loudoun County's funding for the Sheriff's office has one of the highest budget fundings in the adopted budget for FY2021 ($104,240,543). As well as in the past years received a large amount of funding that is not useful and would be better used in other departments.

There is a lack of diversity and businesses run by people of color. The cost of rent is tremendous. The point of this petition is to cut the funding for Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and to focus on health, shelters, and diverse community initiatives. Loudoun County the Wealthiest County in the US and is often at the forefront of innovation and change. It's important to be the change for Racial Justice and Community Development.

We need the culture and vibrancy in place of stagnation. We need ethnic diversity and a place where people of color can feel safe enough to live and start their businesses. There is far too much money being spent on an excessively-equipped police presence and funding in a place where the crime rate is already low. Put that money in places that can improve our community and give underserved community members a place to thrive.

https://defund12.org/loudouncounty?browse   --- Please go to this link to find a  more in depth of what we want and are demanding. Also you can send a pre written email to the Board of Supervisors at this link!