Voters signaled a shift toward a more pro-police stance.POLICE
In a resounding affirmation of public sentiment, the recent elections unequivocally demonstrated the dismal failure of the “Defund the Police” movement. Citizens across the nation have voiced their fatigue with politicians who seem to prioritize leniency toward criminals over unequivocal support for law enforcement. Unfortunately, the aftermath of this movement has left a trail of devastation — one that will take years to mend. It has not only demoralized police forces but has also triggered a disturbing surge in crime, resulting in the tragic loss of countless innocent lives.
The electoral outcomes last month struck a decisive blow against those advocating for the defunding of police. Notably, Kamala Harris, a prominent advocate for “reimagining” policing, faced a crushing defeat. Harris had suggested in June 2020 that traditional approaches to safety – increasing police presence – were fundamentally flawed. The electorate, armed with hard data, categorically disagreed.
Not only was Harris comprehensively defeated, but she was outmaneuvered by an opponent who promised a robust defense of police funding. His commitment was clear: “There won’t be defunding, dismantling, or disbanding of our police.”
The election day results bore witness to a broader rejection of lenient crime policies, with twelve out of twenty-five progressive district attorneys linked to George Soros facing defeats or recalls. This occurred even in traditionally liberal regions, indicating a dramatic shift in public opinion. The most glaring defeat was that of George Gascon, the District Attorney of Los Angeles, who was routed by a staggering 24 points by tough-on-crime challenger Nathan Hochman. Additionally, the electorate in California overwhelmingly backed Proposition 36, which mandates longer jail sentences for drug and theft violations.
Such voter indignation had been to be expected, considering the detrimental impact of politicians who opted to coddle offenders rather than safeguarding public safety. Cities implemented substantial cuts – often in the hundreds of millions — to police budgets in response to the tragic death of George Floyd in 2020. This knee-jerk reaction led to an exodus of officers from the force. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of full-time state and local officers diminished by 5.3%, equating to a staggering loss of 36,907 officers tasked with defending our communities.
As this exodus occurred, police response times lagged, and violent crime burgeoned, with a notable 3.8% rise nationwide. Alarmingly, homicides spiked by 29.4% in 2020 – the highest single-year increase witnessed in over a century.
The ramifications extended further, with many cities dismantling their school resource officer programs at the onset of the defund movement. This ill-advised decision precipitated a dramatic rise in school shootings, recording over 300 incidents in each of the past two years.
Progressive policies, such as the elimination of cash bail, have exacerbated the crisis, leading to a criminal justice system described by many as a revolving door, frustrating law enforcement and jeopardizing community safety. A recent survey revealed that 40% of retail workers plan to leave their jobs due to escalating safety concerns stemming from unchecked retail theft, which has skyrocketed since the implementation of these leniencies.
Youth crime has seen a similar surge, particularly evident in Washington, D.C., where carjackings nearly doubled last year, with those arrested often as young as 15.
Furthermore, the strain of illegal immigration has compelled cities like Denver to slash police budgets in favor of resources for an influx of migrants.
Yet, amid the turmoil, a glimmer of hope emerges. Many jurisdictions are acknowledging past missteps, judiciously reinstating police funding and retracting failed progressive policies. For instance, Minneapolis, which cut its police budget by $8 million in 2020, reversed course two years later, infusing $7 million back to restore its beleaguered police force. Similarly, after the decriminalization of hard drugs like heroin in Oregon led to an epidemic of overdoses and rampant homelessness, a reevaluation resulted in an urgent policy reversal.
While the “defund” rhetoric is relegated to the annals of misguided ideologies, the toll it has taken—most notably on police morale and personnel—remains a stark reality. As reported by the Fraternal Order of Police, the incidence of officers shot has decreased by 7% this year compared to the previous year, and ambush-style shootings of officers are on track to decline by nearly 40%.
The fallout from the defund movement will not evaporate overnight. Our law enforcement community faces a long and arduous recovery, with significant deficits in personnel and an enduring need for the replacement of pro-criminal district attorneys. Although a pro-police president is set to return to office, the repercussions of defunding are ingrained at both state and local levels, necessitating additional remedial actions.
Nevertheless, the pendulum of public policy is gradually shifting back toward a pro-police, anticrime ethos. Ultimately, this evolution underscores a crucial lesson: the vitality of a well-funded, adequately staffed police force is indispensable for ensuring the safety and security of America’s communities.
