San Diego Pays $30M for Teen's Death—But Not to the Teen
San Diego considers a $30 million payout to the family of a Black teen killed by police, as if a price tag can undo a life lost. This isn’t a rare incident; cities across the U.S. routinely settle such cases, often with taxpayer money. These settlements (like the $12 million Minneapolis paid George Floyd's family or the $6.4 million Chicago paid for Laquan McDonald) effectively privatize the
consequences of state violence while insulating individual officers and departments from accountability. Instead of addressing systemic failings or reallocating budgets to community-led initiatives, San Diego (and countless other cities) funnels millions into damages – money that could fund better education, infrastructure, or mental health services. It's a revolving door: police budgets increase,
incidents occur, settlements are paid, and the cycle continues, all while the officers involved often remain on the force or face minimal repercussions. The cost of 'justice' becomes a line item, not a catalyst for change.