Crime and Motivation

We elect politicians, who make laws and hire police to enforce them.

What is the motivation of the police, aside from a paycheck, to actually prevent crime? Sure, they can show up after the fact, clean up, take notes, and track the perpetrators. But by then there are victims and survivors and witnesses who all find their lives changed or ended and their attitudes toward the police diminished. Well, at least, that's what I've observed.

So what will it take to change the culture of the police. They are part of our community but we often view them as the last resort or kind of a buffer from those who would harm us. Moreover, they are a different class of citizen. We have high expectations of them but offer them relatively low pay and poor working conditions.

My first idea is to re-integrate the police into the whole community. In New Orleans, there are about 300,000 residents and close to 2,000 N.O.P.D. officers. That's one for every 1,500 residents. If we could streamline the amount of time they need to write reports through technology and other automation and move them from within cars to a more interactive role, then more of us would know more of them. Waiting until the crime has occurred is too late to build a trust bond between resident and officer of the law. Having a previous relationship is key in law enforcement. How many of us hesitate to involve police for not wanting to get involved and just hoping the prblem will go away. Having police officers that you trust with information that can save a life or protect property and prevent crime is a great resource for both the individual and our city.

Less laws, more enforcement of current laws, less division between police and residents, more individual involvement in reporting and witnessing and above all a District Attorney's office who will prosecute offenders instead of demoralizing police and communities by releasing criminals without trial. Make reporting easier for police, provide bonuses and pay increases for performance, and allow and require them to get to know the people they serve and protect.