San Diego Considers $30M Settlement for Teen's Death: Still Cheaper Than Justice
The Independent reports San Diego is eyeing a $30 million settlement in the police-involved shooting death of a Black teenager, a figure that would reportedly dwarf the George Floyd settlement. This isn't just about fiscal responsibility; it's about a municipal calculation: fund better training, de-escalation, and accountability, or simply budget for the inevitable wrongful death payouts. History
shows that paying off victims' families is often deemed less fiscally and politically disruptive than addressing systemic issues that lead to these tragedies in the first place. One might wonder if this hefty sum is meant to close the book quietly, rather than opening an earnest chapter on police reform. It's a cost-benefit analysis where the 'benefit' is often avoiding a public reckoning and
admitting fault, while the 'cost' is paid by taxpayers forced to clean up a lethal mess. Meanwhile, campaigns for police chiefs and city council members often receive donations from police unions—funds that grease the wheels for 'business as usual,' ensuring that the cycle of violence and subsequent payouts continues. Consider how much of that $30 million could have funded preventative community
programs instead.