Prince George’s County just released their budget in an infographic that I think I can understand. Now I’m no expert but let me know if y’all seeing what I’m seeing. I want y’all to just walk with me for a second. $1.2 billion budget overall

Corrections Budget: $108 million Family Services Budget: $6million

So...inmates deserve to be supported, but families. Y’all on your own.

Next up...department of health...2021 budget: $11million...this is why we had to beg, borrow and steal to get coronavirus tests..........

Ok cool...let’s look at social services. FY21 Budget: $23 million. That looks a little better. But something still doesn’t sit right w/me. Where is all the money. So far we’re at about $150mil out $1.2 billion...Let’s keep going.

Police department....AHA! $368million!!!!! Potential opps for minorities biz...canine food, canine purchases, bmw motorcycle repairs.............

Budget for the Prince George’s County Police Department is almost 10x the budget for the Dept. of Health, Family Services, & Social Services combined.........make this make sense to me.

I mean this Green Book looks like a well meaning document to help minority business owners and suppliers do work w/the county govt. But it pretty much highlighted to me why we have so many families struggling, people dying, health crisis, people locked up, and on and on and on...

When citizens call for defunding the police...this is exactly what they mean. $360 million & opportunities for more canine food while your community members are struggling with substance abuse and COVID-19 the budget for that is $11millon dollars?!?!

I love Prince George’s county, but this systemic racial inequities even exist here in my black Mecca. It’s not enough for us to vote. We have to pay attention & hold our elected officials responsible.

I’m linking the document here so someone can tell me I’m not looking at this right. I really want to be wrong. https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31589/GreenBook?bidId=

It’s important to note that this breakdown only includes some of the departments as it was specifically designed to engage minority businesses. We haven’t even gotten to schools. Wonder what that budget looks like?

I live a mile from the county jail for the past 10 years. I have encountered several men & women w/mental health issues being released from jail & sometimes those encounters have been violent. They are booked & released bcuz their only crime is mental health & jails r not 4 them.

What would it look like if Prince George’s county took $50 million from corrections and $50 million from the police and directed it towards, health, social services, and families? It might mean we wouldn’t need to spend as much on Public Safety.

And citizens of the county would have access to the resources they need. But I guess I’m a dreamer.

please check out @TCM20743 farmers market in Capitol Heights started by community members who felt the need to fill the void of their good not having access 2healthy, fresh produce. Our markets feature black farmers & other small black biz http://thecapitalmarketof20743.com