THEY WILL HAVE LESS GOVERNMENT

Yes, many good citizens have been calling for less government. According to a recent Charles Osgood piece, citizens in many cities will have exactly that as cities continue to downsize their police departments. One California city has advised their citizens that they are to dial 911 ONLY under defined conditions.

Example. If you arrive at your home and interrupt a burglary, you are advised to call 911 immediately for police response to this on-going crime. This is called an active case and there are police available to deal with it. However, if your home is burglarized or vandalized and when you come upon the premises, the intruders are not there and are long gone, it is your duty to survey the situation and then go on line and fill our your own police report. This is called an inactive or cold case.

What is wrong with this picture? It is discrimination. By placing this policy in place, the assumption is made that all people have internet connections and know how to use them. It is quite likely the people most subject to crimes do not fit this description. They are probably poor or elderly or both. The folks who are able to do their own report are expected to be thorough and accurate. This might open some doors also. The idea of self reporting is encouraging fraud and making false insurance claims. In my mind the biggest issue is that this practice continues to make the divide between the haves and the have nots in this country greater. END