Good Cops are out there too!

[NowISeetheLight]

63. I'm Enjoying your Viewpoint

"Under the abolitionist model, cops don't just disappear and the world is perfect. Abolitionism uses the resources we pour into a failed policing system and use it to invest in the community, in things we know prevent crime. Cops don't prevent crime; they react to it and often retraumatize victims. By increasing investments to meet people's needs, we decrease the "need" for cops."

I'd be willing to try an experiment. Take one of these cities where crime is rampant, dump a ton of money into programs and slowly reduce the police involvement, and see how it goes. If it works repeat it. Here in Palm Springs CA our police chief just announced a new program to combat homelessness (and the tons of crime it is causing here).

https://www.desertsun.com/story/opinion/contributors/valley-voice/2023/01/20/palm-springs-police-chiefs-new-aggressive-plan-on-homelessness/69822997007/

They're basically going to make sure people get resources when they want them. Then they're going to focus on the repeat offenders who are choosing the life of crime. There are some real problems here with rampant vandalism, businesses having their windows broken over and over again, drugs in the parks, etc. From the article:

"Law enforcement, limited by the legislature and courts, has de-policed out of frustration and lack of consequence. The San Diego district attorney published a study that showed the criminal group is disproportionately responsible for crime. They are 175 times more likely to be charged with robbery and 183 times more likely to be charged with burglary than other groups. The majority of homeless fall into the last two categories."

They've cut funding to "de-police" and stop locking people up yet they provided no "counter" to help people.

"You can help. For Palm Springs to experience long-term results, the effort must go beyond just enforcement. We need street-level mental health workers in Palm Springs and we currently have none. The county can fund two workers for Palm Springs to help the homeless get off the street. Palm Springs has the highest number of homeless per capita in Riverside County, so focusing here seems logical. Those who cannot grasp their peril because of drugs or mental disorders must be detained in a secured facility. The legislature must immediately create laws to enable secured detention. The city can develop resources to clean up homeless camps regularly. The amount of rubbish left behind is astonishing."

Secure detention is a real issue for some. Of course the far left are totally against this as they consider it "harrassment". The far right is all for it "lock em up". I'd like to think there is a middle ground.

A big problem isn't so much the money as the people. When I moved to CA two years ago the VA couldn't even find me a therapist or a psychiatrist. This despite the fact I'm 100% service connected for PTSD and was medically discharged from the Navy. There just weren't any. Where are all these therapists, community counselors, drug programs, etc, coming from? You can throw money at the problem but the human people just aren't there. There aren't enough doctors/teachers/cops/truck drivers/ the list goes on and on. It's only getting worse. I wish I know how to fix it. I think free or reduced college for critical occupations is a start.

"150 years of reform of one of the worst departments around, the Minneapolis Police Department, resulted in the murder of George FLoyd. At some point, we have to acknowledge that it's impossible to reform a system designed to provide the outcomes it does."

MinnesotaMonthy (Magazine) had a good article on crime in Minneapolis with the post-pandemic era. Violent crime is down for the most part. One thing they're doing is increasing police presence in some neighborhoods based on data showing where the crime is.

https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/lifestyle/what-was-behind-the-twin-cities-metros-violent-crime-spike/

"Cops are taught that they're the sheepdogs keeping away the wolves, which teaches them contempt for everyone but themselves. I know what keeps me safe right now, and it's not cops. What keeps you safe?"

I went on enough ride-alongs as a police explorer in high school and on the police reserve in three years to see the "other side". There are bad people out there and you never know what you run into. I still vividly remember Officer James Anderson of Wayzata being gunned down in 1982 at a door when he responded to a family issue. My father was a chief in a neighboring city and was one of the responding officers. I also remember him crying at home that night. Fortunately the guy shot himself and saved the government (and us citizens) the cost of a trial and incarceration.

My point is the officers do view everyone as a potential killer. Because they pop up unexpectedly and can attack at any time. It's like wandering into a crowd of pitbulls. Some could be really nice... but you never really know which one will attack you. Thinking that way is a survival mechanism.

BTW - I don't agree with everything you say but I do agree with some things. Just wanted to let youknow I appreciate your viewpoint and perspective. We all have different life experiences that influence how we view things. At the end of the day we can all learn something. You've obviously had some different experiences with police than I have and I know my experiences aren't the "norm" for everyone.