Here we go, again. Black man shot . . . by police . . . unarmed . . . in the back. One has to wonder if our police officers across the nation are just down right stupid, badly trained, simply afraid . . . or actually racists.
“This certainly is not the first time that such injustice has occurred. Although the mistreatment can occur with white people, so many cases have happened over the years where black people were targeted and received unfair treatment simply because of the color of their skin. Innocent black men have been suspected of crimes just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Black mothers and fathers regularly warn their sons about the possibility of it happening to them even if they are totally law abiding citizens going about their daily lives in a normal fashion.” – Total Outrage Over Racism Is Justified – Article by Irene Mori
It is past time for racism to be recognized for what it is and be put aside so we can move on. It seems like as if it has taken forever.
In 1776 Thomas Jefferson declared for the budding United States that “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” And yet, less than a hundred years later we still have huge portions of our population enslaved. America has been slow to change. Our civil war freed the slaves, but did little to assure everyone had “unalienable Rights.”
“In 1868, with Amendment XIV, the Constitution had finally given black men full citizenship and promised them equal protection under the law. Blacks voted, won elected office, and served on juries. However, 10 years later, federal troops withdrew from the South, returning it to local white rule.” – crf-usa.org/black-history-month/a-brief-history-of-jim-crow
Jim Crow Laws were designed to deny the rights of individuals based on the color of the skin. Although technically American citizens they were second class citizens held up to ridicule, and held down to lower paying jobs, kept from voting, and were scapegoats for virtually any crime they were accused of. Lynchings were a constant threat to enforce white rule. Although worse in the South, the North gave some opportunity to people of color.
We like to feel that the rest of the world looks up to America to make this a better world, but that’s not always the case. Hitler and his cronies created the Nuremberg Laws which embodied the full-scale creation of a racist state and let him target Jews, homosexuals, Gypsies, and many others.
I was taken with the revelation that to these German lawyers, American blacks “were not a desperately oppressed and impoverished people, but a menacing alien race of invaders that threatened to get the upper hand and therefore had to be thwarted.” There were Americans who believed the same thing in that regard as those German lawyers believed — that blacks were a threat to white rule. Still are. – Bill Moyers – How the Nazis Used Jim Crow Laws as the Model for Their Race Laws
Riots have shaken our country before, but mostly in small enclaves and then forgotten. But riots and movements are coming closer together.
One of the greatest leaps forward for America came in 1947 when Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color line as he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. It didn’t change our world immediately, but it was a giant step for us. I love the film “42” and the scene featuring Pee Wee Reese who walks away from his position at shortstop to Robinson at first base and put his arm around the rookie, silencing the crowd, which was awed by the act of racial empathy by Reese, a popular All-Star from nearby Kentucky. The heart breaker is a young worshiper of Reese’s attending with his father.
Here is the clip from 42 “Hate Breeds Hate”
” . . . on July 26, 1948 Harry Truman made one of the biggest contributions to date for racial integration and equality. In issuing Executive Order 9981 Truman ordered the desegregation of the armed forces. These documents trace what some call the beginning of the Civil Rights movement.” – trumanlibrary.gov/education/presidential-inquiries/harry-s-truman-and-civil-rights
In 1949, South Pacific, a musical composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II premiered on Broadway. The issue of racial prejudice was earnestly addressed with the song “You’ve Got to Be Carefully Taught”. South Pacific was an immediate hit and ran for nearly 2,000 performances. I love the simple rendition of the song as recorded by James Taylor.
For me the big shift took place in the sixties with civil rights, anti-war demonstrations and riots.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – The civil rights movement deeply affected American society. Among its most important achievements were two major civil rights laws passed by Congress. These laws ensured constitutional rights for African Americans and other minorities. Although these rights were first guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution immediately after the Civil War, they had never been fully enforced. It was only after years of highly publicized civil rights demonstrations, marches, and violence that American political leaders acted to enforce these rights. – crf-usa.org/black-history-month/the-civil-rights-act-of-1964
We need to stop racism. Today as in the last few years, our athletes are leading the charge to protest and recognize the fact that we have a major problem still going on with the treatment of blacks and people of color. It looks as if instead of addressing the problem outright, many people are simply calling for law and order. We should be treating racism as the problem. Riots and protests are just the messengers delivering the memo that something needs to be done. In Kenosha, Wisconsin we’ve seen armed self-appointed vigilantes roaming the streets. Two people have died because of them. Guns in the hands of racists seems to be ignored. We should be fighting hate, not each other. Our police need to look at their training and their image and truly live up to their message “Protect & Serve” . . . everyone.
“Riots and protests are just the messengers delivering the memo that something needs to be done.” That sounds like the means justifies the ends. Even Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden is calling (finally) for an end of the violence which is accompanied by rioting: “I condemn violence of every kind by anyone, whether on the left or right.” What took him so long? “Riots are just the messengers?” Just? Not true. Stay tuned for a review here, in this publication, of the book just off the press one-week-ago tomorrow entitled “In Defense of Looting.”
David,
Thanks for commenting. Justifying the end is a little bit of a stretch. But recognition of the problem is a major concern. I wrote a post of FB some time ago about racism and people who had been effected. Some people comments openly about treatment they had experienced, but others said, “Talk to me in private.” The problem is real. I took a look at some comments about “In Defense of Looting.” Some were right on and others a bit off. The book does look like an interesting read.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
“I took a look at some comments about ‘In Defense of Looting.’ Some were right on and others a bit off.”
“A bit off”?
Ben Sixsmith writes in “Spectator USA” a review of the book “In Defense of Looting”.
Here’s Sixsmith’s opening line, the parallels to yours Don, scary.
“Vicky Osterweil, a trans woman who describes herself as a ‘writer, editor, and agitator’ and whose Twitter handle is ‘Vicky_ACAB’ (all cops are bastards), must have been overcome with joy when rioting and looting broke out in the wake of George Floyd’s death.”
Sixsmith continues, “Osterweil is the classic sort of leftist who attempts to wrap enough pretty language around violence and destruction as to ennoble it.
“There are two ways of approaching Osterweil’s argument, one of which focuses on her tactics and one of which focuses on the values that underpin them. Focusing on the former concedes too much. Osterweil’s problem is not that she has good intentions and unsound strategies. It is that her entire worldview is unhinged.”
So, to say “Riots and protests are just the messengers delivering the memo that something needs to be done,” is to fall into the trap Osterweil has set.
David,
Thanks for re-commenting. At a time when there is serious upheaval going on I think we need all the discussion we can muster to discuss the issue or racism. However, I’m always put off when names and labels like “leftist” are put on people. To me this Sixsmith remark along with his mention of “trans woman” taint his review. What I do fear is the stoking of the embers which I feel President Trump will do with a visit to Kenosha. People do need to address the problem in an atmosphere of acceptance and calmness.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Well said Don Doman.
Sylvia,
Thanks for commenting. When you say something controversial you never know what response you’ll get. Thanks for sharing.
Don
Don….as usual, your remarks are heartfelt and right on the mark. The pen is still “mightier than the sword”. You are a swashbuckler with the pen!
Judy,
Nice to hear from you. I’m glad you liked the article. I have lost some weight, so I can again buckle my swash. Thanks for sharing.
Don
Thank you Don. I would love to see “justice for all” in my lifetime.
Barlow,
Thank you for commenting.
Justice for all and the American dream should be available to all our citizens and we will never see it if continue to ignore those who for the most part will never experience it.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Lead in statement destroys any credibility in the rest of the article. “One has to wonder if our police officers across the nation are just downright stupid, badly trained, simply afraid . . . or actually racists.” Such a generalization of an entire segment of our population, in this case occupation, is akin to generalizations of an entire race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, occupation, etc. Indeed it’s the same mechanism that the “German lawyers” and politicians used to dehumanize the Jews of the Holocaust. It’s the same mechanism that the Democrat Party used to institute Jim Crow (a real example of systemic racism), KKK and lynchings in the South for generations. You sir, in your condemnation of all police “across the nation” are no different than the racists who condemn anyone of a different race. We, and police officers individually, are not simply stereotyped members of some homogeneous group. We are individuals who must be judged by the content of our individual character; not by the color of our skin, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, occupation, etc.
Statistics…..facts……undercut your argument that this “racism” is systemic. Police tend to go where there is crime. Black communities represent about 13.4% of the population yet account for 53% of murders (95% of which are black on black), 54% of robberies, 34% of aggravated assault, and are disproportionately represented in just about every crime category. A police officer is 18 times more likely to be killed by a black suspect than an “innocent” (yet often criminal suspect) unarmed black person killed by a police officer. You’ve over stated the actual situation because it conforms to the white liberal virtue signaling narrative: you may think yourself “woke” but indeed you are blind to reality. Those now rioting in the streets are predominantly white individuals who are common criminals and anarchists without a care for black lives but rather seek the destruction of the values and principles that you yourself have said have made racial progress over the last 160 years.
Well said, John!
Chris,
Thanks for sharing.
Don
I think that the first sentence aptly describes the police.
James,
Thanks for commenting.
Unfortunately I too think that the opening lines fits numerous police departments, but let us hope not the majority. Work needs to be done and it may take the efforts of us all.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Well said, Don. The rioting needs to stop, though. Peaceful protests, then work with government entities to affect prevailing attitudes about race and work for real change is the way to go.
I realize that rioters often follow peaceful protesters in the streets, and only serve to weaken the message that racism must end.
It is past time to end racism. Turn the initial anger into the slower, but more productive, action of working with political leaders to create change. They are listening now.
Kris,
Thanks for commenting.
Listening now is good, but those in charge of officers must first accept the challenge to change. What really irritated me was the fact that the police were thanking the white vigilantes in Kenosha. I’m sure people of color got the message that there was no one on their side. Change is a constant . . . we just have to remind everyone that it is needed now . . . and next week . . . and next month . . . and especially next year. Rioting scares a lot of people. The land of the free is a tough sell when we incarcerate more people than any other country in the world.
Thanks for sharing . . . let’s make it happen.
Don
John,
Thank you for commenting.
You took me to task for my opening statement and then went on and on: “One has to wonder if our police officers across the nation are just downright stupid, badly trained, simply afraid . . . or actually racists.” Why you neglected to talk about the “badly trained” portion, I don’t know. Being questioned for “driving while black,” “walking while black,” or “shopping while black” still goes on and creates problems well beyond day to day life for white people. Black people and other people of color are well aware of the problem. Proper training, leadership from the top and possible lessons in civics might make a difference for everyone.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
I didn’t address the issue of training because I think the statistics prove otherwise: most police are well trained for a job that most of us wouldn’t think of doing. I spent 26 months in a combat zone (Vietnam 1968-1970), was wounded, and know how it feels to face physical violence and death on a daily basis over the course of 2 years. I can’t imagine the impact on police officers who serve entire 30+ year careers in areas where that reality exists every day. There are issues that should be addressed but with all the violence and rhetoric they have been lost in the noise and under the rubric of “racism”, neither of which will improve policing. One of the issues is the militarization of our police departments which permeates the thinking with respect to police interaction with the populace. It results in the difference between seeing the population as fellow citizens versus as the “enemy” which is at the core of military thinking. Another improvement should be made in de-escalation training. As we have seen in Lakewood, cops sometimes exacerbate the situation through their aggressive approach which quickly escalates to weapons drawn and shots fired. If a cop is part of the problem he can’t be part of the solution. These are “systemic” changes that can be made to policing rather than nebulous attempts to find and “fix” racism which for the most part doesn’t exist.
John,
Thanks for the additional comments.
I agree with most of your suggestions and information. By training I think everyone needs to be reminded about “Protect and Serve,” which goes for both the police and the people. Is there ride alongs still going on? I think getting neighbors involved in and with our protecting forces might be good for both.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Does Lakewood require any College Degree? I have talked with many activist across the nation and I know some areas do and some do not. I would think a police officer should have a degree that covers the history of racism, riots and cultural relativity. Also I worry that military men who may have ptsd are in the police force. I know a live streamer in Portland that is a vet and after a few weeks he had to stop as the situation was triggering his ptsd he recognized it and took the appropriate action. What is good is we are having dialogue here and around the community. That is a big start! Thankyou for posting this article.
Cynthia,
Thanks for commenting.
I’m not sure about the degree, I would guess not, but I will ask my buddy Joseph Boyle, at least I hope he is still my buddy, about your question and comment. I agree, it is good that we are talking and sharing about the subject of racism and policing.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Don Doman,
I did read your article and all the comments.
As you know I have an opinion on each and every subject. I am not saying I am always correct, but typically I will have an opinion.
As to the question from Cynthia, “Does Lakewood require any College Degree?”; While I have an educated opinion, I am not really in a position to answer that question. I served as a police officer in Lakewood for 15 years, but 20 years have passed since I left my position in Lakewood.
Cyntha’s question would best be answered by a current member of the Lakewood Police Department.
I can tell you this. Cynthia is correct about one thing. Some police departments require a college degree. Most do not. When I became a police officer, I came aboard with a college degree. None-the-less, if society mandates the an individual must have a college degree to be a police officer, I see a few positives and many negatives should we adopt that kind of requirement.
ADVANTAGES OF COLLEGE DEGREE:
1. Most college graduates learn how to better use their mind and develop a higher ability to think.
2. College graduates might well have increased their language arts abilities which can be beneficial for writing reports and public speaking including courtroom testimony.
3. It is possibe college graduates may study the “history of racism, riots and cultural relativity” but doubtful. There are many majors and minors to choose from and most students are not certain what their final direction will be. That being the case, any course offerings that match Cynthia’s suggested course of study would easily be missed.
DISADVANTAGES OF COLLEGE DEGREE:
1. Requiring a college degree to become a police officer would be a form of Jim Crow that would prevent many who are Black, brown, or red from becoming a police officer. The requirement would be a form of discrimination.
2. Some individuals who graduate from college prove to be idiots. Many who do not have college degrees prove to be intelligent and successful in life, including the law enforcement field. A college degree is no guarantee, nor does it guarantee equality and non-discrimination.
3. Requiring a degree would easily cause departments to be woefully understaffed.
4. Requiring a degree would tend to force the salary expense upward beyond what tax payers like to pay.
Parents, teachers, colleges, and police departments can all support values that eliminate racial predjudice and racial injustice. A college degree makes no such guarantee.
If I were put in charge of explorng a mandate for requiring college degrees for police officer candidates, I would spend some time on a deep dive inspecting the results experienced by departments who have instituted such a requirement.
As to picking out military and suggesting that more likely-than-not being unfit for law enforcement because they probably have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; that is another Jim Crow style concept which discriminates against people who have served our country in the military including all races.
Of course if any candidate or active police officer has any kind of mental problem, that individual, not the entire class individuals, needs to be helped, cured or removed from police service if the mental issue impacts on the individual’s ability to serve.
Don, I could say a lot more about this very subject and be confident, I have a lot to say about other concepts shared in your column today, but as you well know, a little Joe Boyle can go a long way.
Thus I thank you for raising the subject and promoting the discourse.
You may or may not agree with my opinion, but remember, you asked for it.
Joseph Boyle
Honestly, …talk talk talk, will not heal our land, plans for good will not heal our land, . Stop and look around you, it is worse every day. And it will continue to grow worse, The police cannot heal our land, actually only one thing will heal our land..
God’s word tell us how to do that. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land”. Can we all that. I know we will not all be willing to do that either. Consequently, our land will not be healed, until the King of Kings comes back…
Evelyn,
Thank you for commenting.
I’m sure you would agree that we are all god’s children. It would be nice if we all followed the Golden Rule, the ethical principle of treating other people as one’s self would prefer to be treated. It’s one of Jesus’ most famous and impactful teachings: verses Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31. I think we, the police and our fellow American all need to remember that we need to respect each other and work together. I fear that many people do not practice the golden rule when it come to people of color. Perhaps, we all need reminding.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
can’t agree with your first sentence….. I will tell you we are all God’s creation, BUT not all God’s children..
Evelyn,
Thanks for the additional comment. I was giving us all the benefit of the doubt.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
Gee, I just don’t understand why a black man would run from the police . . . Another black man killed. He had a gun in a bundle of clothes but apparently not in his hand, so why shoot and kill?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/police-black-man-killed-los-062956910.html
Don,
Thanks so much for your article and for everyone who has commented, and for your kind replies to all. I’m a white woman and, other than being discounted for being a woman, have had one main experience as a 18 year old of discrimination due to not being of Asian nor of Hawaiian descent. This was in Hawaii in 1961 where I went for the summer to work, but most of the jobs were openly advertised “no whites need apply”. What a shock! My Chinese friend got a job in 4 days, but it took me 4 weeks before I was hired. My little taste of discrimination based on my skin color sensitized me to the plight and unfairness towards Black and brown people, but I could escape back to my insular white-privilege community, not live with it daily. We are all God’s children, created in God’s image with choices to make and love, understanding, compassion and friendship to share…as difficult as that can be at times. Thanks again! Carol
Carol,
Thanks for commenting.
I love your story of white discrimination in Hawaii. I wonder if things have changed since 1961 . . . I certainly hope so, but it’s interesting to read your viewpoint as a counterpoint that we don’t usually have a chance to consider. I just finished reading of the latest police killing of a Blackman who had a gun in a bundle of clothes, but not in his hand. It will be interesting to see the rational behind the shooting. It’s hard for white people to comprehend the weight that Blacks and people of color bear and their fear and apprehension when confronted by the police . . . knowing the slightest movement could spell death. A dialogue must begin. It’s my hope that we can all live together as family, which we truly are.
Thanks for sharing . . . I love Hawaii!
Don
WELL! Buckle my swash, to commend Judy Hosea’s apt recognition of Don Doman’s excellent summation. American Racism is a uniquely American problem, as is “religion,” frankly. Passions flare as comments confirm, and we avoid encounter that might lead to better understanding, grace and tolerance. Scriptural injunctions reduce to “Be nice,” first rule established by the former Lakewood Fire Department. But the conversation must ensue lest the light of democracy wane, and nod to Judy, the sword have the last word. Be well, and be nice. Bob
Bob,
I understand pirates love corn and pay a buck an ear . . .
Thanks for the comment and the humor. Indeed racism and religion both singly and combined seemingly hold our country back. A shame . . . or should be ashamed. People claim to follow their religions and yet do irreligious acts. People claim to be this or that and then do the opposite. I guess that’s why we call it the human comedy, except as our country pulls apart there is not much to laugh about. We have to do something to heel, learn, and change. I maintain that the place to start is with the police and the leadership of the police. It has to start at the top and show others the correct path. It’s going to take all of us working together to make the change. I think it starts with us all individually and incorporates our friends and associates as we draw them all in for discussion and sharing . . . so thanks for your sharing. Let’s buckle down and change the world.
Don
Thank you Don for writing this article. I was going to unsubscribe from the Suburban Times after recently reading so many comments from people who deny and ignore the real issue and only complain
You have given me hope again after seeing so many of our neighbors comments recognize the real issues here.
Also you give such respectful responses. You are showing us all how to have a respectful discussion on a serious topic.
Di,
Thank you for commenting. I always have a viewpoint and sometimes other people disagree with my words of wisdom, but everyone deserves to be heard. No one is perfect and perhaps there is no perfect solutions to our many problems. By reviewing comments and so fourth we can at least come up with workable ideas that get us from day to day and with a little help we can focus in and make better decisions. Racism has been with us since before the American revolution, so we are not going to magically remove it, but we can take steps to reduce it, reduce it, and reduce it until we get better at being all in the same family.
Thank you for sharing.
Don
For the question regarding required education, specifically a college degree… not necessarily so. However, the process of becoming a police officer has become highly competitive, thus a person with a degree has a greater advantage over those that do not. To rise through the ranks, furthering education is basically a must.
But what education will be required? It is mentioned “have a degree that covers the history of racism, riots and cultural relativity”… I certainly would like to know what that degree is called. Part of the issue is we use Police Departments to fix all of society’s social ills. They are marriage counselors, social workers, lawyers, medics, and when they have extra time, actually try to do their original job duties of patrol and crime prevention. There are complaints that Police have become too militaristic, yet who responds when well armed criminals go on the rampage?
Is there racism in law enforcement? Sure. But racists are not limited to law enforcement, but people with those feelings are in all parts of society.
But I have often asked this question, is racism limited to whites? Are there people of color so disenfranchised with society that they too can be called racist?
Paul,
Thanks for commenting, I always enjoy your questioning and mulling over my articles and your thoughts. I’m sure racism is wide spread. I used to sell a training video featuring a professor. I liked his comment about Neanderthals gathered around a fire and looking up and seeing a Cro-Magnon man approaching their camp. Someone says, “Ah, diversity.” The Bible is filled with killing these people and those people while at the same time praising God’s chosen people. As I see it we are all God’s people and we all belong to the same family. We are all related, and while we have laws in our country that promise equality, then we need to practice it . . . religiously. This goes for us all. We need to fight disenfranchisement and treat all of our people fairly.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
After reading many of the comments I have other comments to make.
First I believe I read that some thinks that there are people lining up to be a police officer. If this is the case then why are there so many departments offering signing bonuses in hopes of attracting officers from other cities?
Then there is discussion of the pay, I may be wrong but starting pay is around $50k, and with overtime and work at local stores could be up to 100k.
Next I would like to discuss the concept of thugs rampaging around the city. Can anyone tell me of a time that this has happened around here? I don’t remember anything like that. And someone breaking down your door? No cop has ever prevented that, at least not that I have heard of. It’s much like the good guy with a gun, almost never happens. Usually all you get out of a cop is a report, that you give to your insurance, that pays for whatever you have had stolen. Report a missing person and see how long that takes before they care.
Then we have the dangerous job part of this argument. There are many jobs that are much more dangerous. Cops run in packs and are mostly afraid to do anything that might jeopardize themselves.
Lastly the “protect and serve” part. That is not true. I was told by a local cop, after noticing that this is no longer on the side of his cruiser, about this. His response, “we are not here to protect and serve, we are here to enforce the law”.
On a personal note, I think the cops should be de-funded and appropriate persons sent to the call who have the skills to deal with the problem without using a gun. They are not social workers and don’t have the mindset to be one. I think that idea of the swat team has come and gone. Last time I saw them used they had 20 guys for 3 hours surrounding a vacant house. I think that a majority of cops are racist, or condone it, as evidenced by the number of black people killed who are unarmed. I think that qualified immunity should be rescinded, shootings and killings investigations should be outsourced to neutral parties, and the police unions contract be open for anyone to read and comment on before any vote is taken. And any officer who is disciplined should be on a national register so they cannot just move into another city and agency. Now I am sure that there are a lot of people who are scared of their own shadow who disagree. I feel sorry for you, but there is no bogey man out there.
James, James, James . . .
How far have you actually gotten in life? You are wrong, wrong, wrong. Your suggestions, ideas, and solutions smack of “too much sense” to be approved by the majority of people. Please, reconsider your responses. I loved them, however.
Thanks for sharing.
Don
p.s. I would like to work a few months like the Seattle officer we made $414,000 dollars last year working over 24 hours a day.
D
“why are there so many departments offering signing bonuses in hopes of attracting officers from other cities?”… this is pure economics. It is VERY expensive to hire and train Police Officers. Departments are charged for each officer they send to the criminal justice academy. Then, each department has their own training program. By hiring Officers that have already completed the academy, they do not have to pay that portion as well as cutting the time from hiring to street ready. This is tax dollars well spent.
“Cops run in packs”… There are FBI statistics that show one on one contacts have a larger percentage of turning violent because a perpetrator believes they have a chance to get away. Add a second officer, that percentage goes down dramatically.
“mostly afraid to do anything that might jeopardize themselves”… November 29, 2009 changed all that. Simply meeting over coffee only to be executed. This has placed Police Officers everywhere on the defensive.
“Usually all you get out of a cop is a report, that you give to your insurance, that pays for whatever you have had stolen”… perhaps if we had actual consequences for committing crimes, the Police could become more proactive. But at this time, they run from call to call with little time to investigate.
“I think the cops should be de-funded and appropriate persons sent to the call who have the skills to deal with the problem”… well duh. . And if we stop calling them when your boyfriend spends his money on booze instead of rent, or the person who decides not to take their meds, they would not be put in positions that law enforcement (as in enforce the law) was never designed to do.
It would be great to reallocate monies so that the correct level of help is sent to the right situation. But who will be making those judgement calls? A dispatcher on a phone and computer? There is a reason why Fire Personnel do not respond to many types of calls until the Police has cleared the scene, and no one will claim that Fire Personnel are not in physical shape or are afraid of their own shadow (they run into burning buildings after all). It is because it is dangerous.
Paul,
Thanks for the additional comments.
I think one of the biggest problems of defunding the police is burning bridges, not buildings. I think we need community forums of people who are open to new ideas as well as old ideas that could work best in our new realities. Regardless, to just chop budgets without a plan spells disaster. Problems need to assessed, and goals set to achieve with step by step plan of action.
Thanks for sharing.
Don