I think the CHAZ situation usefully helped illustrate the extent to which the crime-deterring function of police is largely separate from their investigatory function.
That said we should try to solve more crimes!
That said we should try to solve more crimes!
There was a good study last year showing that police departments dedicate fewer detective-hours to trying to solve non-fatal shootings than fatal ones, and consequently solve them at lower rates.
We could (and imo should) try to solve more crimes.
eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2…
We could (and imo should) try to solve more crimes.
eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2…
I think the literature pretty convincingly supports a vision of law enforcement that features more diverse departments doing fewer stops & using less force and spending more time walking around & more time investigating crimes.
But regardless of what reform agenda you like, ask why buildings have security guards.
The answer is pretty obviously not “because security guards solve burglaries.” But they’re not useless either.
The answer is pretty obviously not “because security guards solve burglaries.” But they’re not useless either.
