H.B. 5074, An Act Concerning Funding for Operation Wingspan to Assist in the Recovery of Stolen Vehicles

We have significant concerns with House Bill 5074 because it unnecessarily invests additional money in policing, rather than funding social support services that will actually address the cause of crime. The ACLU-CT opposes investment in policing, especially at a time when many in Connecticut are struggling but social services remain underfunded. Project Wingspan had already eaten up federal COVID-19 relief funds, which should have been allocated to pandemic relief and community-based violence prevention programs. Further funds should not be allocated to Project Wingspan when time and time again research has found that increased policing fails to reduce crime. As such, the ACLU-CT opposes House Bill 5074, and we urge this Committee to do the same.