Thirty-one community groups asked St. Paul city leaders Wednesday to oppose any new funding for police officers. They called for the city to build safety by investing in youth and communities.

The letter to Mayor Melvin Carter, Police Chief Todd Axtell and city council members came after Axtell told the city council on June 20 that he wants to add 50 officers to the department’s ranks over the next two years.

Axtell pointed to the city’s rising population and a stark increase in 911 calls. He said wants new officers to spend six months in the department’s community engagement unit, getting to know the community, before they take their first 911 call.

In Wednesday’s letter, community groups wrote, “We don’t need to add police to engage with communities or promote safety.”

The groups said the police department “has the largest slice of the general funding pie,” “has a concerning track record when it comes to racial disparities and use of force,” “has more officers than comparable cities” and “our communities are engaged and ready to find solutions.”

Among the organizations that signed the letter were the Aurora/St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Association, Black Lives Matter Minnesota, the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ Minnesota chapter, Frogtown Neighborhood Association, the faith-based coalition ISAIAH, NAACP St. Paul, St. Anthony Park District Council, St. Paul Federation of Teachers, St. Paul Promise Neighborhood and West Side Community Organization.

“We believe St. Paul can be a leader in advancing a true ‘community-first’ approach to public safety,” the letter said. “Expanding the police force would take our city in the wrong direction, squandering scarce public resources and further embedding punishment and incarceration over true community solutions.”

Steve Linders, a St. Paul police spokesman, said Wednesday that the intent of adding more officers “is not to put more people in jail. It’s to build better relationships with the community, a safer city for everyone.”

“Our officers are working their tails off now and they’re doing a great job, but with 50 more officers we can do even better,” Linders said. “The new officers would allow us to keep up with the increase in demand for service and continue to deliver the exceptional service our community members expect and deserve.”

Carter said Wednesday that he’s been clear about his position on the proposal for more officers. He previously said the “philosophy that more police officers, tougher prosecutors and bigger jails equal a safer city has failed.” Related Articles Sept. 30 is last day for public comment on Pigs Eye Lake makeover

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“Our goal is absolutely to inspire folks to get involved in the budget,” Carter said Wednesday. He has been hosting a series of events to discuss the city’s budget process and said turnout has been great.

Four more 90-minute events are slated to discuss the city’s budget: 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Lake Monster Brewing; 4:30 p.m. July 26 at Spring Cafe at the Como Park Pavilion; 1 p.m. July 28 at the Goat Coffeehouse; and 2 p.m. July 29 at Brunson’s Pub.

Carter will unveil his proposal for next year’s city budget during an Aug. 9 speech.

Community groups sent this letter to the mayor, police chief and City Council members on Wednesday: