To paraphrase a line from the classic movie “Network,”residents of Seattle are mad as hell and they aren’t going to take it anymore.

With the “Defund the Police” movement alive and well in cities like Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, New York City, and elsewhere across the country, the Seattle City Council is considering a plan that would slash funding to the city’s police department by 50 percent — resulting in the layoff of hundreds of officers — 100 of them immediately.

While the “defund” movement was initially popular among Seattle residents, those days are apparently over — or at least headed in that direction —  as reported by Q13 FOX. During a city council budget meeting on Wednesday, hundreds of residents (Seattlites?) spoke out against the proposed plan to neuter their police department.

One caller to the phone-in meeting summed up his or her feelings succinctly — and correctly: “Defunding the police is a radical experiment that will hurt the vulnerable.”

Another caller defended the police department, saying Seattle is not the peaceful “Utopia” the activists (naively) seek.

“SPD is already understaffed and with the city growing rapidly, calls for service are increasing. I do not want less officers, I want more officers who are able to respond to priority calls in seven minutes or less. We don’t live in Utopia.”

One supporter of the department encapsulated what every law-abiding resident of every city in America should view as “DUH” common sense:

“Seattle City Council, you are irresponsibly not fully representing your constituents by making the reckless decision of defunding our police department by 50 percent.”

The “defund” group is calling for immediate cuts of $85 million for the rest of the year, which could mean the immediate termination of up to 100 officers from the force — which would solve what, exactly?

Q13 reported that while the “defund” crowd has been strengthening for months, calls against defunding are starting to pick up. One day after launching a “Stop Defunding” petition, the Seattle Police Officers Guild said they have already collected more than 20,000 signatures.

Needless to say, Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan is onboard with those in the city who appear to be coming to their senses. “I find it ironic that the city is trying to defund us,” he said.

More than a few Twitterers welcomed the news of Seattle residents finally rising up against the insanity in their Democrat-run city.

🔴🔵FINALLY, patriots are speaking up! The good citizens of Seattle spoke up AGAINST DEFUNDING THE POLICE! The police union now has 20,000 signatures AGAINST DEFUNDING THE POLICE! Let’s keep this going! Don’t let anarchists run your cities!🇺🇸VOTE TRUMP2020 https://t.co/ZKHjuJLG2X

— Diane Boyd (@Boyd_2650) July 30, 2020

'Defund the Police' is more than a radical exoeriment.

It's a Crazy Proposal, proposed by IDIOTS!

Those seriously considering should be removed from office.

Seattle residents slam ‘Defund the police’ as ‘radical experiment’ during city budget meetinghttps://t.co/kh0rwvAt8F

— Chris Bray_Common Sense_Patriotic Vet (@brayc2) July 30, 2020

FOLKS, #Seattle #Portland YOU MUST THROW OUT THE DEMOCRATS… THEY (The Democrat Policies) WILL DESTROY YOUR OWN HOMES:

Seattle residents slam ‘Defund the police’ as ‘radical experiment’ during city budget meeting https://t.co/M6nawFEL0d #FoxNews

— Taylor2020 (@rodsandguitars) July 30, 2020

The Police Chief is spot on. They are tasked with keeping the rioting under control with no care for their safety. They are not allowed to do the job properly due to their hands being tied. They face defunding. Residents need to be louder! https://t.co/knsKoOXSRT

— MAGA Boxer Mom (@Preciouslindy) July 30, 2020

“Orlando” slammed the “fools in Seattle” as part of a backhanded compliment for “finally waking up to the reality.”

Seems the fools in Seattle, with the exception of @MayorJenny, are finally waking up to the reality of "Defund the Police"https://t.co/hEU3UHrT8o

— Orlando Herrera (@OrlandoMH3) July 30, 2020

In addition to the growing discontent of Seattle residents over the “defund” movement and the continued chaos, the sleeplessness in Seattle has been raging in the courts, as well.

The Department of Justice last week sought a temporary restraining order to block the implementation of a newly passed ordinance by the city council that would have prohibited the police department from using “flash-bang” devices, pepper spray, tear gas, and other non-lethal crowd-control tactics against crowds of protesters.

So where does it stand? Hard to say. Seattle being Seattle, and all.

A veto-proof majority of council members have already committed to deep cuts to the department, despite recent polls showing public support for defunding is waning, but one thing is clear:

Unless sane residents of cities like Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and elsewhere speak out, turn out the lights; the party’s over.