[GOPJ]

And exactly what type of agency would you want to replace your local police department with?

I'm glad they're going after criminals, rioters, thieves, rapists, mass murderers - and yeah, even those folks who think they can drive 60 mph in a school zone.

I am tired of paying police departments to babysit certain high crime areas - and strongly feel neighborhoods should pay for police protection based on usage. We don't 'share' a collective water bill - and there's no reason we should have to pay a 'shared' bill for police protection when some people use a lot more than others...

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

there's no reason we should have to pay a 'shared' bill for police protection when some people use a lot more than others...

Sure hope you never find out who's using ambulances for taxi service.

[ChildOfThe60s]

I understand your attitude. But there is another side to the coin.

I have been *harassed* by the police and accused of lying while on my own property (a good neighborhood BTW) because a low life gave my last name and address when arrested, then apparently jumped bail.

The brilliant Lakeland, FL police department was too stoopid to verify anything the man told them before cutting him loose. They sent multiple cars and officers to my home and treated me like sh*t. Looking back, I realize I was fortunate they didn’t break my door down and cuff me in my living room.

Did I feel safer knowing these (gun toting) clowns were “protecting” me? Duh.

Trust me, when they do this to you, it’s hard to be rah rah about idiots wearing uniforms and carrying firearms.

[DManA]

I reject this notion that if you criticize something you are morally obligated to present a fully formed and thought out alternative.

This is not a think tank. This is a forum for citizens to get stuff off their chest and share information.

[paul51]

And exactly what type of agency would you want to replace your local police department with? I'm glad they're going after criminals, rioters, thieves, rapists, mass murderers - and yeah, even those folks who think they can drive 60 mph in a school zone.

How much of your local PO dept budget is devoted to going after criminals, rioters, thieves, rapists and mass murderers? It's the other activities that concern people. To answer your question, I would prefer drastically reducing the police forces and tell people they need to take care of themselves. If the police were so effective at doing the things you listed we wouldn't need so many. People, families and neighborhoods should be their own first line of defense. Our dependency on the police is propagated and then used against us

[dragnet2]

I'm glad they're going after criminals