Who is responsible for maintaining order and safety on the streets of cities?

[kentuck]

Perhaps I am wrong?

But it has always been my belief that Mayors are responsible for hiring policemen to maintain order, so the streets are safe for its citizens.

If the policemen are unable to maintain order, the Mayor can request that the Governor send in the National Guard. I'm sure this has happened before.

How many times has the Federal government acted unilaterally in incidents of social unrest?

How long are citizens expected to put up with the violence and disruption? Forever?

Do Democrats have any responsibility to speak up?

What will be the price to pay?

[unblock]

1. It can be and has been done legitimately

Going back at least since reconstruction. But the only examples I can think of are of the federal government trying to keep bigots at bay, such as protecting students desegregating schools.

Sending heavily armed federal troops in to protect statues and buildings from graffiti is ridiculous.

[cilla4progress]

2. So then what is the argument for

federal troops in MI when gun-wielding supremacists entered the state house and threatened guv?

[kentuck]

3. Exactly!

It was up to the Mayor and the Governor to control the situation.

[Amishman]

4. Technically no one

The court precedent says there is no obligation to protect the public or their property.

[spanone]

5. We've never had an authoritarian 'president' before.

Scary times without a road map.