I was aware that Camden’s new police force had some rehires, but I was not under the impression it was any significant amount. I also didn’t come across anything that pointed out the decrease in crime in the state overall, so thank you for that. The main point I’m trying to make is that Camden dissolving their original police force was not the cure-all that people think it was. That there were outside factors that largely contributed to crime rates being brought down in the city and members of the community feeling better about the new police department.
The conclusion that I draw from all this is American policing needs to be thrown out into the dumpster fire it came from because it isn’t working in the ways that we need it to. I’m not going to die on that hill If I am wrong and lasting police reform IS possible, but based on the disappointing evidence from the research I mentioned earlier I have little hope for the idea that police reform can bring about the social stability in our communities that people so desperately need.
I agree for the most part. I just don't agree with throwing everything out of the window. We definitely need more accountability. And I think stricter hiring requirements and higher pay to attract higher quality people would help. I sure as hell wouldn't want to be a cop and deal with all the crap they do for the small amount they make. Cops get a lot of shit. But, they deal with A LOT too. And they're only human. It affects them too. My dad is actually a retired officer actually. Where he worked wasn't the nicest area in the world. But, definitely not the worst either. And I've heard tons of nightmare stories. I'm sure it takes its toll on their mental health.
A lot of it is deeper than the police too. Like the war on drugs is an obvious example. It's done nothing but ruin lives and cost tax payers tons of money. For nothing.