tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post6108084180543889560..comments2023-10-20T15:32:34.216+00:00Comments on Eclectic Breakfast: When In Danger, Fear, or Doubt...Eclectic Breakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09767654149969639962noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-48419474589937062672012-01-23T13:48:34.072+00:002012-01-23T13:48:34.072+00:00Is it necessarily a bad thing that the security su...Is it necessarily a bad thing that the security suppliers ( whether contracted in this case, or peace officers) can only use their fire arms in self defence (or, as is also permitted, in the defence of others facing a threat of imminent grievous bodily harm) ? I'm pressed to think of other circumstances in which I would like my guardians to use their firearms. But then again.... I'm a Canadian.<br /> Kudos, Michael, for a thoughtful and measured commentary in what often becomes a histrionic debate.<br /> So many of the most common criminal occurrences are generated by factors that have nothing to do with the size of the responding army. Violent domestic assaults are not reduced by quicker police response, they are reduced by improved economic conditions; proper education of young men about the equality of women, better ways to express themselves and resolve conflicts; and communities of people who are willing to stand up against the bullying of others (domestic violence IS bullying) in the first instances, though the intervenor may be initially unpopular and uncomfortable.<br /> Drug use offences may be better understood as symptoms of illness and hopelessness, likewise statistically unaffected by rapid response of police or lengthier sentences.<br /> <br />There is no "cheap" way to reduce crime, but it may, in some circumstances, make sense not to reduce taxation, but to re-allocate resources, by including 'watchmen" in the public security picture, and spending the difference on measures to address root causes, an "investment", rather than a "coping" plan of response.<br /> <br />The difficult work of bringing additional peace to our communities will be up to all of us, and it will be complicated, requiring experimentation that will be in some cases successful and in other cases less so. If the status quo worked so well, why are we adding police, jail capacity etc.? The experience of the past decade, where all these standard practices have been ever more funded, without tangible improvement, is the "experiment" deserving of study and ultimately, I expect, derision.Gordon Mack Scotthttp://sic-canada.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1573430735657446577.post-44511817526516771952012-01-11T22:08:41.621+00:002012-01-11T22:08:41.621+00:00Great thoughts. This really does pose some intere...Great thoughts. This really does pose some interesting questions about public safety and private security and the two roles. I think as local government budgets constrict, we will see more dependence on private security.BusinessKaratehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02627368447949429761noreply@blogger.com