Public policy too complicated for catch words
Public policy change requires more than threeword catch phrases. Calling for public policy change invites clever phrases suitable for media moments. However, these phrases often mask the complexity of real change and undermine real change.
Nancy Reagan’s “Just say no!” campaign sounded like a good idea but failed because public policy related to drug abuse is more complicated than three words. Trickle-down economics sounds good in theory but has never worked because the economy and human behavior are more complicated than three words. In this context, I am concerned about “defund the police.”
I am horrified by the racist abuse and killings by police and policing culture locally and nationwide. I strongly agree we need to include social workers, crisis intervention specialists, educators and other nonpolice resources in our public safety strategies. However, if someone steals my car, I don’t want a crisis intervention specialist trying to find it.
If I see a car speeding the wrong way on a busy street, I’m not going to call a social worker to stop it. Defunding police sounds like an easy solution to a complicated problem. It also has the effect of polarizing the community. We need to increase funding for prevention activities, crisis intervention, treatment, civilian review of police, police culture change and more.
We also need public participation in creating and monitoring thoughtful policies that reflect best practices of public health, safety and inclusion.
Chris Kloth, Columbus