How do you feel about the "Defund the Police" movement?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (208289)
Walnut Creek, California
November 2, 2021 1:26pm CST
I am all for more training for police in identifying mental illness, using non-violent conflict-resolution strategies, and in general deescalating potentially violent situations.
But, as a psychologist who as worked in "difficult" neighborhoods, I am against anything that dis-empowers the police in those neighborhoods.
Most of the black families I have worked with teach their kids to respect the police, and to "stay away from that mess" when it comes to violent "protests," side shows, and other potentially explosive events that come with poverty.
In Minneapolis, many black residents are rising up against legislation that would reduce police presence in their neighborhoods.
Many white Liberals support anti-police bills, but I think many do so so they can "feel good about themselves" and carry on in their mostly white, middle class neighborhoods.
They don't know what life is like "in the 'hood."
Here's an article I just read. What do you think?
Marques Armstrong had just got out of the shower one morning this fall when he heard gunshots that seemed to come from his Minneapolis backyard. It was a depressingly routine occurrence on the city's predominantly Black north side that reaffirmed Armstrong
16 people like this
14 responses
@xander6464 (41011)
• Wapello, Iowa
2 Nov 21
The funny thing is that no one is trying to defund the police.
3 people like this
@xander6464 (41011)
• Wapello, Iowa
3 Nov 21
@TheHorse Now you're on the right track. I think you could do a lot of good and make some money.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (208289)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Nov 21
@xander6464 I'm all for more training. Heck, maybe I could make some bucks DOING those trainings.
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45816)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Nov 21
I think properly trained police are necessary.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (97279)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Nov 21
They do need to change the way they do some things. But they still need to be there
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (74599)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Nov 21
Totally insane the police are especially needed in tough areas so innocent people don't get hurt
2 people like this
@TheHorse (208289)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Nov 21
Police who work in rough areas receive extra training in non-violent conflict resolution. That is why those in rough neighborhoods are less likely to be killed by police than those in non-rough neighborhoods on a per-contact basis.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
15 Nov 21
It was already mentioned here but it bares repeating - nobody really wants or wanted to "defund the police", there never was any such "movement" within the Democratic party. I admit whoever first said those words likely regrets it now since the Republicans really took it and ran with it.
What they were really talking about was to have the police trained in how to deescalate situations that have in the past turned needlessly violent and to have actual experts in the field of psychology or social work available for calls involving things like domestic violence or a person who shows signs of mental illness who is uncontrollable by the police officers.
@kaylachan (59718)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Nov 21
I am surprised it's still going on. I would've thought it'd quieted down by now.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (208289)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Nov 21
I haven't followed it closely recently. Our poor American brothers and sisters are the most vulnerable to crime, and many of them are people of color. I hate to see them discriminated against in the interest of "political correctness."
@LadyDuck (461873)
• Switzerland
4 Nov 21
@TheHorse What kinds of crimes do we have here??? Well where I live nothing serious. Some burglaries, there were 45 homicides in Switzerland last year and all in the bigger cities in the north.
If people try to bring money through the customs, it's not at all my problem, I do not even consider this a crime if it's their money.
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
3 Nov 21
I think, if they pass that, it will be a huge mess... They want to make undefined changes and are asking people to vote for those changes sight unseen... and hope for the best.
If I were living there, I'd vote no on that.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (208289)
• Walnut Creek, California
3 Nov 21
I think this kind of thing is thought up by white armchair Liberals trying to kiss as too poor blacks. Unfortunately, it's poor blacks who suffer when white Liberals advocate stuff that makes them "feel good about themselves." I am "left of center," but I can't stand "political correctness."
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (160236)
• United States
3 Nov 21
There HAS to be a police presence to keep the population under control. This is madness!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54403)
• United States
3 Nov 21
i know as a former teacher, that there is always a middle ground. this one has a glaring middle ground. Simply break calls into types (domestic violence, fire, kidnapping, assault) and when it is ones that can be deescalated send in professionals like you with the police.
1 person likes this
