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* From DNAInfo…
“We’re asking police officers to respond to failed public policy,” [Ald. Ameya Pawar (47th)] said.
The defunding of social services has in many instances turned officers into social workers, he said.
“We’re asking them to provide mental health care and medical care,” Pawar said. “We’re asking them to respond and be reactive to poverty.”
Either equip officers with the skills and tools to deal with more than crime, or elect representatives who prioritize funding social services, he said.
“If people want real change … the people we elect is a reflection of what we believe,” Pawar said.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:36 am
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Civilization costs money. We can pay those costs now or pay them later. When you pay them later, you pay a lot more. We’ve decided, when it comes to mental health, etc., to pay them later.
Comment by JPC Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:54 am
As someone who has been in the police business for many years he is right ontje money.
Comment by Regular democrat Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:56 am
It’s about choices. We can fund our government or we can choose not to fund it, balance our budget with raising taxes (as suggested by the Dwight Kay mailer I got Friday), and we can watch as the ship sinks.
Revenue is not a give. (Hat tip to OW)
Revenue is required
Our government agencies are on hospice care.
It seems like you could withhold more but that’s because when something is dying it’s shutting down vital functions. It doesn’t need nutrition because it’s dying.
Don’t mistake “not hungry” with “not needing nutrition”. State agencies are in active collapse, actively dying.
Long long gone are the days when the workforce could be trimmed. Several years ago we were the smallest workforce per capita.
Now we’re 75lbs wet. We aren’t saying anything because we’re dying as functioning government units.
The Police are right to say it’s not their job. God bless them. It’s going to be a heck of a lot worse.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 9:56 am
Pawar certainly gets it. he also recently responded to a rally some other aldermen were holding called “Police Lives Matter” by saying that calling it that in opposition to Black Lives Matter was wrong. and, forget the words he used, but it is also sort of provocative. He’s right about that too.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:03 am
@jpc:
And that *Affordable Care Act* is just so horrible. Why have access to healthcare now, when its so much cheaper for the Criminal Justice system to provide it!
/snark/
Comment by Delbert Grady Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:07 am
“The defunding of social services has in many instances turned officers into social workers”
Of late, this is true for police officers.
For decades, it has been true for public school teachers.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:13 am
And the situation for police officers is about to get worse on July 1, when many providers cease services. Including services that directly impact the police.
Comment by Pawn Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:29 am
They should contact public defenders. They have an inside view on the relationship between social services and the criminal justice system that no one else has.
Comment by Delimma Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:40 am
also, reduction of guns to shoot at police would be a good thing too. Illinois Legislators, take note of today’s U.S. Supreme Court action….they refused to review the Connecticut Assault Weapons Ban thus leaving the state passed ban in place. Where is such legislation for Illinois?
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:49 am
“Seven states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws banning assault weapons. The others are California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and New Jersey, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. In addition, Minnesota and Virginia regulate assault weapons.” From NY Post.
also the court turned away challenges to Highland Park’s law and New York State’s law. come on Illinois legislators!
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 10:53 am
I was gong to say that JPC nailed it, but then everybody else added good points. Pawar is an outstanding alderman. We will miss him when he leaves office.
Comment by There They're Their Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:05 am
is Pawar not running again?
Comment by Amalia Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:13 am
There have been several instances in the last few years where police responded to a situation that involved the mentally ill. Often it didn’t end well, even when police tried their best. Increasing the frequency of this will only end in heartbreak for everyone involved. We shouldn’t be putting any more burdens on our police force.
Comment by Thoughts Matter Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:29 am
More like this please. I wish more law enforcement would stand up and say this loud and proud. I’ve always felt very disconnected from law enforcement (not to mention fearful). It shouldn’t just be groups like Fight Crime Invest in Kids who speak the truth. We also need some more law enforcement like Sheriff Dart to advocate for adults being harmed, too. Isn’t this the Governor who says he wants to reform the criminal justice system? Changing laws to stop people from going to prison is one necessity, but leave the populous high and dry without community resources is an anathema.
Comment by Mad Libs Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 11:45 am
Alderman Pawar limited himself to two terms as alderman. Yet another reason why he is among the most respected elected officials at City Hall.
Comment by There They're Their Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 12:17 pm
The largest 4-H chapter in Illinois is in….Chicago.
From the FFA website:
“FFA chapters are in 18 of the 20 largest U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and Philadelphia.”
Mocking this administration has become actual child’s play.
Comment by Juvenal Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 12:46 pm
Police officers have had to deal with the mentally ill in crisis simply the “close the institutions and dump them on the streets” movement of the 1980’s. I feel for them. Working with the mentally ill in crisis should be handled by police when necessary, but never without a mental health professional assisting. Mental health professionals by and large have at least Master Degree (counsellors and therapists) or a Doctorate (psychiatrists). We cannot expect our police officers to do a job that requires 6 to 12 years to master.
Comment by RIJ Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 1:59 pm
The city of San Antonio, Texas sends a social worker WITH the police when calls are flagged as related to disability. Something good out of Texas.
Comment by Quill Monday, Jun 20, 16 @ 4:46 pm