Redwood City Police Chief Kristina Bell said proactive community policing, youth programs and mental health services would be the first scrapped after budget cuts. The city is facing a $10.1 million deficit, which she said is nearly 10% of its general fund.

And this is why they have a shortfall. They’re cutting the most needy and least vocal first while utilities, roads, and most county bureaucracies stay intact. Cut those first, everyone feels the pain rather than just those already on the fringes, you can bet your ass the public will help them find the missing funds.