A Democrat-controlled city, Denver, has announced a significant allocation of $45 million in funding for programs aimed at addressing the increasing number of migrant arrivals it is currently facing. This decision has resulted in over $8 million in budget cuts for the police department.
Mayor Mike Johnston unveiled a comprehensive package totaling $45.9 million to fully support programs for 'newcomers' for the year 2024, with an additional $44 million already secured through previous budget adjustments. The surge in spending on migrants in Denver escalated from $2 million per month in August to $15 million by December of the previous year. Although migrant numbers peaked at around 5,000 in shelters in January, they have since decreased to approximately 1,000, according to official figures.
The mayor emphasized the importance of having a sustainable plan to treat newcomers with dignity while averting severe cuts to city services. The mayor's office clarified that while there will be no layoffs or furloughs, cuts will be necessary to secure the additional funding, with the mayor's office facing a nearly 10% budget reduction.
As part of the budget adjustments, the police department will see a reduction of $8.4 million, approximately 1.9% of its budget. A portion of this cut, around $5 million, will come from limiting hiring for open positions. However, police officers will still be recruited by Denver International Airport, which will cover the expenses of a recruiting class.
Additionally, the fire department's budget will be trimmed by less than 1%, roughly $2.5 million, primarily by not filling vacant positions. The new spending will include the establishment of a 'Denver Asylum Seekers Program' to assist around 1,000 individuals in shelters by connecting them with housing assistance for six months until they can obtain a work permit under their asylum claims. Another initiative, the 'WorkReady' program, will provide migrants with training opportunities, including language instruction.
Despite the budget adjustments, a spokesperson for Mayor Johnston refuted claims of 'defunding' the police, highlighting plans to add 167 new police recruits in 2024. The spokesperson emphasized that the 1.9% cut is lower than the average 2.5% reduction across all city agencies and assured that public services will not be impacted, with no officers being removed from duty.
This move by Denver reflects the ongoing challenges faced by liberal cities in managing the influx of migrants into their communities, whether arriving independently or being transported from other regions. Notably, cities like New York and Chicago have also encountered significant budget strains due to the rising number of migrants entering their jurisdictions.
