Dear Two,
g. First off, a clarification. I meant less training and gear than a SWAT team, which will still be a lot more than they have now. Because they will not have to fund many different units. And, there will be a major reduction in the amount of salaried officers. Which will enable an increase of pay to all remaining officers. This part is (reportedly) supported by some notable police veterans.
when a crime happens….” Not anymore, criminals are usually apprehended through technology. Phone records. Video surveillance. A standard burglary today, the Police come down. They interview the bystanders, hunt for fingerprints, take videos. Go back to the station and file a report. Run everything through a computer and then look for the suspect. (Or, they say oh you must mean him. He lives on the worst block in town. We do not go there anymore. Next time the SWAT team goes there, they will pick him up. He already has 3 open warrants.) There is no need for Police here. A CSO can take down the information and record the evidence. [Some places have been doing this for decades.] If, the burglary is ongoing, than the trained unit comes. And they are trained to track him and arrest him on the spot.
“Not really sure..” Nobody is certain how any changes will play out. A lot depends on the residents and the politicians. [The way I differentiate between a good activist and a bad one, is if they blame everything on the current scapegoat. Do not believe them. They are in it for themselves, and are grasping an opportunity, A good activist, will always point out that it is up to the community to make the most of their chances.] But the idea here is that the less Police on the streets, the more it will be about community safety. When there is just the necessary amount to keep the peace, the less ability the department can be used against the residents.
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