Quick... call 911 (part I)

Crime is everywhere. And lots of people believe that more police officers is the answer. Police = safety. Or so we are taught from an early age. If a politician even mentions looking into the possibility of reducing the police budget, or number of officers, then the response is usually a Mount Everest of violent crime statistics for that area. Not to mention the hyperbole of how this will create danger for the average citizen. And the people usually leading the charge of half truths and outright lies are the police themselves. But have you ever taken the time to think about the job you actually pay the police to do? I mean exactly what is the police departments responsibility to the citizens who pay their salaries, benefits, and perks? Well, if you're like most of the sheep population, you probably think one of the major things the police are there for is to respond to calls to the 911 system and protect you from crime and criminals when you are being victimized. Yeah, they investigate crimes after the fact. Yeah, they arrest criminals (and non-criminals too). But is protecting you actually a major issue that your local police is responsible for? I'd like to know what you think. I'm going to save my reply(s) for a single post later in the week, possibly the weekend... but I seriously would like to hear your opinion on whether the police have any responsibility to protect you from crime or criminals, especially if you involve them through 911 or the court system.