Talk of defunding the police has ramped up in the wake of George Floyd's death in May. In a number of cities, moves are being made to defund or, in some cases, dismantle the police force. Is this a good idea?
From my vantage point, this is a bad idea that will hurt law-abiding citizens. I agree that the police have become militarized and this needs to stop. Peaceful protestors have treated roughly like violent criminals. Peaceful protest is a right people have. My objection is that there are over 30 thousand gangs throughout the country. What's going to stop them from wreaking havoc our neighborhoods. Here in New York, shootings have increased. Innocent people are being hurt or killed.
Bad cops need to be weeded out of the police force. If they commit a crime they should be prosecuted. I don't know what the police budget is but I believe efficient policing would serve the public better. Stop and frisk was a bad idea because of a lot of innocent people (mostly people of color) being targeted and harassed. I also believe that defunding the police to divert money to social programs seems good on the surface but it's 'robbing Peter to pay Paul', something New York politics is notorious for. Perhaps all of the cities services need to be reviewed and revamped.
Defunding the police is a bad idea because it will hurt all of us in the long run. The change will need to come from the public as well as the police department. The men and women in blue have a tough job and I pray for them and their families. I pray for all the families who have lost loved ones through violence. It's time people get serious about REAL reform. Defunding the police will hurt all of us in the long run.
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