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November 30, 2005

What a difference 3 weeks makes

November 6, 2005: Montgomery Mayor Praises Man for Using Gun

November 30, 2005: Seven Murders, Six Days; What Can Police Do?

"It appears to be the same things: alcohol, drugs and repeat offenders," said police Chief Art Baylor.

Baylor and other officers say Alabama has no problem busting people when they break the law. The hang up happens when offenders get out quickly and go right back to crime, usually drugs. Often, that leads to violence.

Baylor's argument:

"The police department has no way to cure the social ills of this city," he said. (emphasis mine)

But some criminologists say if police deter alcohol and drug crimes, violent offenses will decline. The theory behind problem oriented policing is to flood crime prone areas with officers and that scares the problem away. The question is...would it work here?

(snip)

We asked Chief Baylor, through a spokesman, if MPD would consider concentrating more units in high violence or high crime areas. Lt. Huey Thornton told us that was not likely because the department is concerned that might create a crime problem in other areas.

And, there's a question of cost.

Montgomery hasn't filled its employment quota for police officers in years. One reason: low starting pay and better jobs elsewhere.

Chief Baylor also contends the criminal justice system is broken in another way: overcrowded prisons allow non-violent criminals to leave quickly even if they have multiple offenses.

I commend the police for doing their jobs, overworked and understaffed as they are. And the mayor's trying. But I'm sure right now he's kinda wishin' he hadn't made that crack about "fight crime -- shoot back".

Posted by Jeff at November 30, 2005 06:51 AM