If Police Really Wanted To Make Communities Safer

July 7, 2010 by Bradley Jardis
Filed under: Issues, News, Police, Rant

… they would strike at the root of the cause of so much crime that plagues their communities: drug prohibition.

In Farmington, NH there has been a rash of burglaries:

“Police have nabbed three men and continue to make headway on an investigation into a burglary and theft spree plaguing the town.”

“Farmington is a town that averages 35 to 40 burglaries annually, Willey said, but in a monthlong period from early June to early July, there were nine reported break-ins, he said. Between June 1 and June 6, there were additionally 15 reported thefts from motor vehicles, he said.“

I feel I must repeat myself continuously here for the truth to hopefully one day sink in: Why, oh why, are these innocent people being victimized?

“Among those arrested was Sheldon J. Wallace, 36, of 68 Swan Lake Trail in Alton. He was charged with felonies of possession of burglary tools and Oxycodone, two counts of burglary and misdemeanor criminal mischief in connection with recent burglaries at 485 Route 11.”

Opiate addicts, again.

“Currently, Card faces two counts of burglary, two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary and two counts of receiving stolen property, Willey said. He was allegedly involved in break-ins at 59 Sycamore Blvd. and 50 Peaceful Pines Circle, he said. Willey said Card is a suspect in two other downtown burglaries and is a “very strong suspect” in a third.”

Wow, this guy has harmed a lot of innocent people. He should be stopped. Better yet, why don’t we make sure that this entire crime problem comes to a halt?

“Card, who is currently on probation and has a history of burglary and theft, had bail set at $5,000 cash during arraignment. He is due in court for a probable cause hearing on July 12 at 1 p.m. Christofore had bail set at $1,000 cash and has an Aug. 19 trial on the misdemeanor charge.“

Q: Why would someone ON PROBATION with a history of burglary do something so stupid as to continue to burglarize homes?

A: He’s an opiate addict who, like most, will stop at nothing to get money to get the drugs he needs.

““It’s good old-fashioned police work,” Willey said.“

No, it’s not. It is stupid and needless police work. I suppose it is job security as crime = job. If you really wanted to protect your community Mr. Willey, you’d come to realize that drug prohibition is causing this problem.

You’re either two things:

1) Uneducated on why this crime is happening; or

2) Too afraid/uncaring to stand up to try and make your community safer.

Marc

I'm all for legalizing/decriminalizing drugs,your body is your property – Totally fine with that.

I'm also fine with anyone who catches a burglar in their house and decides to empty a full clip from a 9mm without hesitation into the burglar's skull – because the house is my property and your choice of recreation should not impede on my land.
&rnld

"I’m also fine with anyone who catches a burglar in their house and decides to empty a full clip from a 9mm without hesitation into the burglar’s skull – because the house is my property and your choice of recreation should not impede on my land."

So your property is more valuable than a human life?
Bradley Jardis

So your property is more valuable than a human life?

Someone who is willing to break into your home is a serious threat to your personal safety… even more so because most of them are drug addicts who will do anything to get money for drugs.

Using deadly force against a burglar is legal in New Hampshire… Even if they don't present a threat of deadly force back against you.
http://ringingliberty.com Paul

Personally, I wouldn't shoot a burglar who was only going after my property, unless they presented a serious threat to my life.

But, I recognize that other people have a right to do so.
bil

Paul-if you are home and someone breaks into your house,by the time you have divined his intentions,it will be too late.The fact that they are willing to use force to enter your house shows they are not afraid to use it.Especially if you are home.

Hope for the best,but prepare for the worst.It is a split second for you to decide if they are going to harm you,and they have already made their decision. —bil
Paul

That's a good point bil, I guess it would depend on the situation. For example, if I were in the bedroom, and heard someone going though my stuff in the living room, I wouldn't come out and try to stop them, I'd probably just defend myself if they tried to enter the bedroom.

Thankfully, I haven't had to address this situation … hopefully I never will.
bil

Very good plan!Entering the other room without knowing the situation could be a real bad move.Defense in place would be better at that point.The other person is then entering an area you control and is unknown to them. —bil
max allison

so what is the solution- besides the random tactical planning? let him have all the pills he can afford? did you not notice he was stealing? he will steal to buy more pills, run out of money, need to steal again? what difference would it make where he is buying the pills, illegal dealer or rite-aid. he will steal need more money, then more money, then more.
Paul

Max, the only reason drugs are nearly as expensive as they are, is because of prohibition. Even if this man felt the need to continue to fund his habit by stealing, he would only need to steal a tiny, tiny fraction of what he would have to now — and it would be much more possible for him to fund his addition with a regular job. There's no rational reason most of these drugs need to cost much more than aspirin.

Then, there's the much more significant issue of the supply chain. Just look a the difference between the alcohol industry during prohibition, and after — compare budweiser and al capone. The only reason for the huge amounts of violence in the drug supply chain these days — from cartels, to street gangs, to dealers, is prohibition.

While perhaps 100% of the violence would not be eliminated by ending prohibition — after all, I'm sure stick ups for beer money still occur rarely — it would eliminate the vast majority of it.
max allison

have you ever met an opiate addict? neurotransmitters build tolerances to opiates- more is needed, then more, then more. you don't regulate and balance, you just need more. methadone has been legalized and has been failing it's patients since. so, considering that prime example i can't imagine much good. and in countries where you can buy codiene tylenol, it's way more expensive then the plain tylenol.
Paul

Oh, I definitely believe drug addition is a real problem Max, especially hard drug addition. I just think prohibition makes the problem worse, and creates a lot of additional problems as well.

Drug addicts need medical attention and support from friends. Prohibition makes them less, not more likely to get it.
max allison

i don't know- remove opiates from the equation and replace with alchohol. it's so tricky, it's just a shame.