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The Calls to Abolish the Police The Calls to Abolish the Police
(3 days later)
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Re “Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police,” by Mariame Kaba (Sunday Review, June 14):Re “Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police,” by Mariame Kaba (Sunday Review, June 14):
When the Baltimore police stepped back after the entirely justified uproar over the death of Freddie Gray in 2015, crime soared and Baltimore’s homicide rate became the highest in the nation. When high-crime Camden, N.J., reconstituted and expanded its police force in 2013 and implemented serious reforms, crime rates fell and complaints about the police plummeted.When the Baltimore police stepped back after the entirely justified uproar over the death of Freddie Gray in 2015, crime soared and Baltimore’s homicide rate became the highest in the nation. When high-crime Camden, N.J., reconstituted and expanded its police force in 2013 and implemented serious reforms, crime rates fell and complaints about the police plummeted.
It is naïve to think that abolishing the police will radically reduce robbery, rape and murder, even if all the saved money is reallocated to better housing, schools, jobs and social services. Fixing these broader problems will take far more resources.It is naïve to think that abolishing the police will radically reduce robbery, rape and murder, even if all the saved money is reallocated to better housing, schools, jobs and social services. Fixing these broader problems will take far more resources.
It is equally naïve to think that the policing problem is just one of a few bad apples. The problem is institutional and very difficult to solve at both the policy and political levels, but campaigns to abolish the police are counterproductive. Real reforms are possible, and it’s important to seize this rare opportunity to achieve them.It is equally naïve to think that the policing problem is just one of a few bad apples. The problem is institutional and very difficult to solve at both the policy and political levels, but campaigns to abolish the police are counterproductive. Real reforms are possible, and it’s important to seize this rare opportunity to achieve them.
Stephen CrawfordDerwood, Md.The writer is a research professor at George Washington University’s Institute of Public Policy.Stephen CrawfordDerwood, Md.The writer is a research professor at George Washington University’s Institute of Public Policy.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Although I agree with many of the writer’s sentiments, I don’t know how successful we would be at abolishing the police altogether. I think a better approach might be to abolish the police unions, which protect officers from the consequences of their actions and embolden police forces to act with careless disregard for many of those they are supposed to protect and serve.Although I agree with many of the writer’s sentiments, I don’t know how successful we would be at abolishing the police altogether. I think a better approach might be to abolish the police unions, which protect officers from the consequences of their actions and embolden police forces to act with careless disregard for many of those they are supposed to protect and serve.
Brenda SussnaBear Lake, Minn. Brenda SussnaWhite Bear Lake, Minn.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
When Republicans sought to annul the Affordable Care Act with no plans for a replacement, Democrats rightly cried foul. Now some on the left want to “literally abolish the police,” with only vague ideas for what comes after. How is that better?When Republicans sought to annul the Affordable Care Act with no plans for a replacement, Democrats rightly cried foul. Now some on the left want to “literally abolish the police,” with only vague ideas for what comes after. How is that better?
Ilya ShlyakhterAllston, Mass.Ilya ShlyakhterAllston, Mass.
To the Editor:To the Editor:
Abolishing the police is unimaginable, as was the abolition of slavery to most white Americans 200 years ago. Abolishing the police, and prisons, is the right thing to do. But like our ancestors, we lack imagination and heart.Abolishing the police is unimaginable, as was the abolition of slavery to most white Americans 200 years ago. Abolishing the police, and prisons, is the right thing to do. But like our ancestors, we lack imagination and heart.
David BeusLaie, HawaiiDavid BeusLaie, Hawaii
To the Editor:To the Editor:
I disagree that we should abolish the police. Instead, we should simply replace male policemen with more women. Women have always been less violent than men and have never committed as many violent crimes as men have. Being more inclined to be nurturing, they are more likely to be our protectors than our prosecutors.I disagree that we should abolish the police. Instead, we should simply replace male policemen with more women. Women have always been less violent than men and have never committed as many violent crimes as men have. Being more inclined to be nurturing, they are more likely to be our protectors than our prosecutors.
Margaret CurtisAtlantaMargaret CurtisAtlanta