Jasmine Flores and Chuck Nelson, newcomers to Erie City Council, are questioning the proposed buildup of the city police force to fight street gun violence, using the city’s American Rescue Plan money. Flores told TalkErie’s Joel Natalie Tuesday, that more investment should be directed to prevention.
“I’ve seen what’s not working. We need to invest in our youth. And we need to start early. Us having additional police after the problems are already here is not going to fix the problems,” said Flores.
Nelson added that investments in local community centers and toward what’s known as “broken window” policing, could prevent crime. Both council members encouraged city residents to share their neighborhood concerns with City Hall.
