"Instead of watching to prevent crime, motorized police patrol became a process of merely waiting to respond to crime."
(emphases in original)
--from Cop in the Hood, via Marginal Revolution
Many years ago Tulsa got a new police chief who touted a novel-sounding concept called "community policing": That is, put cops in the neighborhoods, on the streets, so that people who lived there got to know them etc. I never understood why such a seemingly obvious plan aroused such fervent opposition.
(The loudest critics gave me the impression that they'd just as soon jail 'em all and let God sort 'em out.)
Posted by Matt Bruce at April 7, 2008 11:21 AMCops love cars because they're comfortable, warm, and have a radio. Foot patrol is used for punishment. Police culture has to change. And police have to be hired knowing that their job will require lots of walking. See my website for more on foot patrol.
Posted by: Peter Moskos at April 7, 2008 08:51 PM