What defunding the police might actually look like

By Amelia Anthony

A recent policing-without-police experiment in a section of Brownsville appears to have been something of a success. At the end of a contentious year of anti-police brutality protests, a pilot program actualized a version of “defund the police,” albeit for a short five days, reports The City.

Still, the experiment seems to offer reasons for encouragement.

City agencies and nonprofits replaced police presence on the strip of Mother Gaston Boulevard, offering community services instead of patrol. The lone 911 call reported during the pilot was accidental, according to The City.

The current commanding officer of the 73rd Precinct, Deputy Inspector Terrell Anderson, is a Brownsville native. He took over in June, after an alleged act of violence towards a protester led to public scrutiny and the reassignment of his predecessor.

Anderson praised the pilot: “What was displayed was amazing—I think it’s going to be a model for the future.” Read more here.