The idea behind “defund and dismantle” is that some police forces are just so corrupt and brutal that they cannot be reformed. They must be defunded, dismantled and then REPLACED with new systems of PUBLIC SAFETY agencies in which the first strategy is PROACTIVE — addressing social issues to prevent crises (the fence at the TOP of the cliff preferable to relying mostly on ambulances at the bottom) — and when REACTIVE measures do become necessary, initial contact is not aggressive and hostile, but focused on mediation, de-escalation and easing of tensions — use of counselors and mediators and using force only as a RARE last resort. We need systems of PUBLIC SAFETY that actually make the public safer and not in fear that those who are supposed to “protect and serve” will come into their neighborhoods and “point and shoot.”
As it stands right now, African Americans in many communities are calling to get rid of police departments right now because they do not feel the police protect them. When they see crimes, they do not call 911; they handle it in their own neighborhoods. They do not call the police; they do not help the police; as far as they are concerned police are an outside invading force and they just want them gone.
They would welcome a new system of PUBLIC SAFETY that actually make them feel safer and that they feel builds up their communities.
What is needed is massive institutional restructuring. Assessments to screen out those with those bullying and aggressive tendencies. Refusal to hire or retain any officer who sports a swastika, KKK or other white supremacist tattoo or has disciplinary history from a previous police force. Prohibitions on participating in white supremacist organizations. Training that emphasizes community policing, building good will, de-escalation of conflict and approaching situations in a constructive, approach focused on mediation rather than confrontation, including not coming dressed and armed for a war zone.
The idea behind “defund and dismantle” is that some police forces are just so corrupt and brutal that they cannot be reformed. They must be defunded, dismantled and then REPLACED with new systems of PUBLIC SAFETY agencies in which the first strategy is PROACTIVE — addressing social issues to prevent crises (the fence at the TOP of the cliff preferable to relying mostly on ambulances at the bottom) — and when REACTIVE measures do become necessary, initial contact is not aggressive and hostile, but focused on mediation, de-escalation and easing of tensions — use of counselors and mediators and using force only as a RARE last resort. We need systems of PUBLIC SAFETY that actually make the public safer and not in fear that those who are supposed to “protect and serve” will come into their neighborhoods and “point and shoot.”
As it stands right now, African Americans in many communities are calling to get rid of police departments right now because they do not feel the police protect them. When they see crimes, they do not call 911; they handle it in their own neighborhoods. They do not call the police; they do not help the police; as far as they are concerned police are an outside invading force and they just want them gone.
They would welcome a new system of PUBLIC SAFETY that actually make them feel safer and that they feel builds up their communities.
What is needed is massive institutional restructuring. Assessments to screen out those with those bullying and aggressive tendencies. Refusal to hire or retain any officer who sports a swastika, KKK or other white supremacist tattoo or has disciplinary history from a previous police force. Prohibitions on participating in white supremacist organizations. Training that emphasizes community policing, building good will, de-escalation of conflict and approaching situations in a constructive, approach focused on mediation rather than confrontation, including not coming dressed and armed for a war zone.