Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Recent Police Reform & Its Impact on Policing & Crime
Is this perceived lack of police presence connected to the recent police reform bills, in your opinion?
What are your thoughts on police reform and the ripple effect—positive or negative—it could have on our communities and public safety?
Here’s what you said:
This is not a simple "either or" problem. Yes police need proper education & training. Yes we need fully sufficient social services, job training, childcare, education, housing & nutrition for people who are disadvantaged. Police need to be able to keep us safe & hold law breakers accountable. But all of this needs funding. We won't be able to have fewer police until we've leveled the playing field and that takes money, rethinking the problems, active engagement of all stakeholders & community willingness.
As a community we need to practice active listening rather than telling people what they should do. What can be done immediately is training for new & existing law enforcement employees. Learning to communicate effectively with hands off their weapons might be a place to start. Engaging people before problems escalate by becoming part of the community they service would go a long way.
Priscilla Kania, Annapolis
There's a reason they are the thin blue line. What defunding the police is anti-senior citizen, anti-poor people who are trapped in criminogenic areas, defies reality and common sense. And, will further cause a proliferation of firearm ownership. "If the gov’t will not or cannot protect, Messrs. Smith and Wesson will!
Ray Modko, Severna Park
Our police need all our support during these very difficult times. If there is a questionable incident we should remember that there are two sides to every story and judgement should not be rushed. The last thing we need is for our police to be afraid to do their job to protect us and there is a lot we need protection from. Let’s be real and get out of la la land.
Julia Simpson-Jones, Bowie
I think the major issues are accountability and culture. For too long the law has made it difficult if not impossible for police to be held accountable for their misdeed. Hopefully the Dennis Chauvin verdict will provide the first step in remedying this problem. I have no idea if accountability has ever been a problem with the Annapolis police.
Police culture is a bigger problem as it often seems to underlie the acts that lead to problems with accountability. Us vs them. We can do whatever we want, order you to do whatever we want. These are attitudes I've seen in Annapolis. If the police have indeed unilaterally reduced their presence downtown, that, I submit, is also proof of a problem with culture.
So maybe instead of cutting the police budget, we increase it to better-train the police to reset their mindset.
Marc Knapp, Annapolis
The passing of these bills is an absolute joke. They were made on emotions and not thought AT ALL. Hence the reason Governor Hogan vetoed them. Thinking that "planting trees" reduces crime is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Maryland should have taken a closer look at the other states that have moved forward with police reform—those areas are seeing a huge spike in crime and now they are quickly regretting their changes. Officers are getting out of the career by the thousands. When there is no support, and s*** pay, what's the point? The reform should focus more on supporting these officers mentally, emotionally, and financially! My recommendation to you is, order a pizza and then call the police and see which one gets to you first.
Carolyn Baitsholts
I absolutely believe that the police reform bills have demoralized our police force. The majority of police officers are upright, moral people who put the safety of others before their own.
It's shameful that we stereotype all police based on a few. What's the difference between stereotyping in this way and race stereotypes? They all do damage.
Julie Zipfel, Annapolis
The Annapolis PD has been more than responsive to the safety needs of the City residents. The issues addressed in the State legislation relates more to the problems in Baltimore as opposed to a smaller city like Annapolis, where community policing has been in place for a long time. In the high crime areas of the city, they have an ear to the ground. Crimes of opportunity need to be addressed and should be prosecuted to the FULL extent of the law. The perpetrators should not be easily let out on bail. A deterrent to crime is what reduces crime, not blaming the police for criminal behavior. They are here to protect the citizens and should not be denigrated when they do their job.
Maria Museler, Annapolis
Sure, there are bad cops, just like any other business; but most are the best of the best. We need them, we need to support them. Police are necessary to keep order. If we don't have police, there will be vigilantes which will make it a 'free for all' in this country and many innocents will die and chaos will endure. I have lived in other countries where the police walk around with AK47s; doesn't bother me a bit; police are seen everywhere (makes you feel safe). Police should not have to be hindered (they need to be protected also). Sometimes bad things happen, but it is rare. BUT IF YOU DO get arrested, do what the police want you to do - do it... (don't fight it). I have been stopped in my car for speeding, stopped because they were looking for a stolen car, (and all went well). I am a white female and have been stopped at least 4 times with absolute courtesy. I think the United States is one of the most dangerous countries now. It is a free-for-all right now - there are no consequences for the bad guy. OUT OF CONTROL - WE NEED POLICE.
Susan Brousard, West River
I am reticent to ask this question but why has there not been more/or let's call it any coverage about the beating of a woman on Main Street - Anne Arundel First Alert covered it then took it down - few locals are aware - and those that are aware will not watch/react to the video - I am in a business where we welcome new residents to our City - I depend on new residents - we do not want to scare anyone - have been doing business here for thirty-six years - but one has to wonder why this incident was it not addressed by Gavin and or the PC - and or the Capital nor local news - if it was - I have not seen it.
We have had a peaceful City for many years.
Margaret Templeton, Annapolis
