Palo Alto Moves To Reform, Not Defund Police: Report

PALO ALTO, CA — The Palo Alto City Council on Monday moved to reform its police department but stopped short of calling for defunding it, according to a published report.

The council also unanimously approved a resolution in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Palo Alto Weekly reports.

The council deliberated the future of its police department and heard from dozens of speakers amid a national conversation about race, social justice and police brutality initiated by the May 25 death of George Floyd in police custody, the report said.

The council directed the city’s staff to develop a blueprint for changes but didn’t make any concrete decisions, the report said.

Vice Mayor Tom DuBois said the conditions on the ground in Palo Alto warranted change but not a complete overhaul of the police department, the report said.

"I think the men and women of our Police Department serve our community well," DuBois said.

"We are not Minneapolis, or Ferguson or Detroit. While we have had a few issues, I think our police should not be viewed as the problem, but as part of the solution."

Read more at Palo Alto Weekly