I think defunding police to turn over some of their functions to qualified social workers is the greatest idea to come out of all this so far. If the police had less to worry about, they would likely get better at their jobs. Let's take a look at how effective police are at solving crimes using case clearance stats from the FBI (2018 and 2017, 2019 report not available yet):
2018:
Violent crimes:
Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter: 62.3%
Rape: 33.4%
Robbery: 30.4%
Aggravated assault: 52.5%
Property crimes:
Burglary: 13.9%
Larceny-theft: 18.9%
Motor vehicle theft: 13.8%
45.5% of violent crimes and 17.6% of property crimes cleared by arrest or exceptional means.
2019:
Violent crimes:
Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter: 61.6%
Rape: 34.5%
Robbery: 29.7%
Aggravated assault: 53.3%
Property crimes:
Burglary: 13.5%
Larceny-theft: 19.2%
Motor vehicle theft: 13.7%
45.6% of violent crimes and 17.6% of property crimes cleared by arrest or exceptional means.
Seriously. If any other government department had that kind of success rate we would all agree that they could use some reform. But because it's police, those brave men and women who do the 14th most dangerous job in America, we can't possibly question their performance.
Yes, defund police. Fund community programs. Let the police be police, not marriage counselors, not warriors, not dog catchers. Remind them that they are there to protect and serve, and any who can't handle that, get rid of them.
2018:
Violent crimes:
Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter: 62.3%
Rape: 33.4%
Robbery: 30.4%
Aggravated assault: 52.5%
Property crimes:
Burglary: 13.9%
Larceny-theft: 18.9%
Motor vehicle theft: 13.8%
45.5% of violent crimes and 17.6% of property crimes cleared by arrest or exceptional means.
2019:
Violent crimes:
Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter: 61.6%
Rape: 34.5%
Robbery: 29.7%
Aggravated assault: 53.3%
Property crimes:
Burglary: 13.5%
Larceny-theft: 19.2%
Motor vehicle theft: 13.7%
45.6% of violent crimes and 17.6% of property crimes cleared by arrest or exceptional means.
Seriously. If any other government department had that kind of success rate we would all agree that they could use some reform. But because it's police, those brave men and women who do the 14th most dangerous job in America, we can't possibly question their performance.
Yes, defund police. Fund community programs. Let the police be police, not marriage counselors, not warriors, not dog catchers. Remind them that they are there to protect and serve, and any who can't handle that, get rid of them.