DAVE ROSS

Ross: Would defunding the police actually work?

Jun 4, 2020, 8:32 AM | Updated: 12:00 pm

Seattle protest, police reform...

Seattle police downtown Wednesday. (Nicole Jennings, KIRO Radio)

(Nicole Jennings, KIRO Radio)

Last night there was a new demand at one of the George Floyd protests in Seattle, calling to defund the police.

Defund the police. The chant didn’t seem to catch on, but it refers to this idea that we’ve tried to reform the police – everything from teaching de-escalation to requiring body cams, and nothing works.

So instead, you just need to cut their budget.

Stop spending money on military-style equipment, don’t hire as many cops. Stop arresting people for non-violent crimes like passing counterfeit bills and treat it like a traffic ticket.

And then take the money you save and spend it instead on more mental health treatment, more social programs – the argument claims that you will see crime go down, even with fewer police.

I should point out that statistics show police use of force has actually been dropping. There is also research showing that what actually reduces crime is more cops on the beat, not so they can make more arrests – it’s just the visible police presence that tends to spook criminals.

But it’s obvious this is no time to be quoting statistics.

Ultimately, I think they only way to know what works is to try it. Go by zip code. Zip codes that vote for cops get cops; those that don’t want cops can recruit volunteers to police their own streets. We’ll see who gets looted and who doesn’t.

Listen to Seattle’s Morning News weekday mornings from 5 – 9 a.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

car culture...

Dave Ross

Ross: Are we killing car culture? Or is car culture killing the US?

I don’t think the question is whether we're going to "kill" our car culture. The real question is can we stop our car culture from killing the U.S.?

3 days ago

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

10 days ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

1 month ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

1 month ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

1 month ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

2 months ago

Ross: Would defunding the police actually work?