Oakland Reduces Police Services: What Could Happen?

As the economy declines and deficits rise, governments will have to make cuts. Last year, I saw Arizona State University make cuts to its programs. The post office has considered reducing its services. Oakland, California, has recently made one of the most drastic cuts that I have seen: they have laid off 80 of their police officers. The layoffs occurred not because Oakland has suddenly become a friendlier, safer place to live, but because the government cannot afford to pay for officers. They are drastically reducing services. Cuts like these could come to other parts of the country as well; Oakland isn't the only government that is running on a deficit. As a consequence of these cuts, life could change in Oakland, and anywhere else that sees a drastic reduction in police officers.

Services Oakland has Cut

If you live in Oakland, don't expect the police to come unless you are the victim of a violent crime. They have announced that they will not respond to crimes like burglary, grand theft, loud music, identity theft, vandalism, embezzlement, not reporting as a sex offender, and several other crimes. They also will not respond to car accidents. Basically, if you haven't been physically hurt or killed, they probably will not come.

Adjustments Will Have to Be Made

Adjustments will have to be made, both by society and by companies that require police reports. Insurance companies will not be able to rely on police reports when handling claims. Creditors will not be able to require police reports during cases of identity theft: there will be no police reports. People will have to be vigilant to protect themselves against these crimes that the police will no longer respond to.

Will Citizens Turn to Vigilanteism?

There is just so much that citizens will take before they decide to take matters into their own hands. Will citizens put up with grand theft, embezzlement, and other crimes without fighting back? Will they take their grievances to the court systems? If they want to see their cases solved and see justice, they will have to do a lot more legwork on their own. Some citizens may decide to do a little more than just collect evidence. Knowing that the police would be unlikely to respond, what would keep them from retaliating? We are looking at a future where dark days could lie ahead.

A Sign of Things to Come?

Oakland is not the only local government with financial difficulties. The entire state of California, for example, is having trouble with its budget. Many states and cities across the country are having trouble balancing their budgets. While services like libraries and parks may see some of the earliest cuts, if things to not turn around, we may see more essential services seeing cuts across the country as well.

Sources:

"Police in Oakland Says Cuts Mean They Won't Respont in Person to Certain Crimes." CNN.com.

Turley, Jonathan. "Oakland Police Announce they Will Not Respond to Burglary, Grand Theft, and Other Crimes". Jonathanturley.org, 13 July 2010.