Devoid? I see cruisers every single day. Of course, cops sitting in their cars at stoplights isn't exactly a "police presence." Also, I live in the CD.
How about the fact that we have 1/5th the number of cops/10k residents of NYC?
How about the fact that we have 1/3rd the number of cops that we're supposed to have even in a low crime city?
No wonder the crime rate is going up here while it's going down everywhere else in the country.
@6: Depends on the type of crime you're talking about.
According to the City's own statistics, homicides, rapes and vehicle thefts were all down significantly last year as compared to 2008 (-27%, -19% & -11% respectively), while robbery, aggravated assault and larceny were all up (11%, 16% & 11%), and burglaries showed a slight uptick (3%).
Which would lead one to conclude those limited police resources you mention would be put to much better use in those areas, and NOT on negligible result, feel-good things like targeting aggressive panhandling.
Foot patrol is great. Time to get to know the neighbor and show a friendlier side of policing. However, please be aware that City council members are receiving incentive to support the guild and increasing the task force. I think it is time for the community to retake their neighborhood. Block patrol, block party, and allow the community to solve their own problem is a longer term solution. On average the County book 10,000 booking every 3 months. A lot of these folks are first time offenders. When we are putting an increase level of people with criminal history and making it harder for them to find jobs we will have more crime. May we have free clinic to expunge criminal records?
This is good. Seattle is devoid of police presence.
This is what we should focus on- not making it illegal to ask for money, but actual crime.
How about the fact that we have 1/3rd the number of cops that we're supposed to have even in a low crime city?
No wonder the crime rate is going up here while it's going down everywhere else in the country.
Why can't we increase foot patrols by taking some cops off of desks?
According to the City's own statistics, homicides, rapes and vehicle thefts were all down significantly last year as compared to 2008 (-27%, -19% & -11% respectively), while robbery, aggravated assault and larceny were all up (11%, 16% & 11%), and burglaries showed a slight uptick (3%).
Which would lead one to conclude those limited police resources you mention would be put to much better use in those areas, and NOT on negligible result, feel-good things like targeting aggressive panhandling.
Maybe we should elect a mayor who can get something done.
Why are they exempt?
If you're just making stuff up, why stop at 8. We could get rid of the entire Southwest Precinct and save all kinds of money.