Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - The Fair Fines and Fees Coalition, a group of citizen activists are speaking out on the Buffalo Police Department's decision to eliminate its Traffic Unit beginning in the new year.
The group said they don't view the move as a reform measure, and want to know how it will save the City money.
"We would like to know how much money the city expects to save from this," said Colleen Kristich, who took part in the group's virtual press conference. "What would be better than re-assigning these officers to the patrol division to issue tickets... we'd like to see those officers be moved in to other city departments where there might be vacancies, or to be removed from the force. The real demand from the community around 'Defund the Police' is to reduce the size of the police department and shrink the city budget."
The Police Department made the announcement on its traffic division earlier this week, saying up to 50 officers will be reassigned. The announcement was not presented as being a part of the city's police reform agenda.
