[Niferlou06]

And, just how many police Officers are out of a job because of this dangerous decision? Back-the-Blue

[MandoMan]

Do you know the saying, “To a hammer, every problem looks like a nail”? That’s the problem with having cops handle these problems, we are told. I understand that cops are often not properly trained to act as counselors for these problems. Drunk? Cuff them! Mental health crisis? Use the Taser! Drug overdose? Take them to jail!

Well, of course, that’s not really the way it is. In most instances, they do a better job and make the right decisions and save lives. So is a social worker ready to handle any of these problems when people turn violent? Are they armed? Will they have police backup? Will someone with schizophrenia off his meds understand that this is a “safe” social worker? Would you be willing to handle these problems unarmed on the street or in someone’s house without backup? I wouldn’t!

Maybe what will happen is that one cop and one social worker will start riding together. Cop for handling violence and providing protection, social worker for people who need help solving, say, a homeless crisis or a reference to a drug counselor. Then the social worker would have protection, and the cop could avoid making things worse. But of course, then the cop would have no armed backup unless more cops were called in.

(My dad was the head chaplain for the Denver Police Department and carried a Lieutenant’s shield. He would ride a shift with any cop who wanted to talk, day or night. He didn’t want to carry a gun, so they compromised on his always carrying an Ultra-Stinger flashlight that could blind suspects for a few seconds and crack any skull if swung properly. Maybe social workers would carry these flashlights.)

Perhaps instead, cops should be required to have solid college coursework in social welfare and counseling and thorough training in de-escalation techniques. It would help a LOT if they would learn to speak with a calm, relaxing voice instead of shouting at people to get on the ground. I know a lot of the people cops deal with are low-lifes who treat them badly. That shouldn’t be. The lack of respect shown to police officers is at the root of the problem of “racist” cops. They learn that from how they are treated. I can’t blame them. They aren’t superheroes. But the cycle of abuse has to start somewhere, and it’s easier to train a thousand cops to calm down and de-escalate than train a hundred thousand angry people who have been taught from childhood to hate cops.

Originally Posted by John41

“Crazy as hell” is what a St. Petersburg, Florida resident called the mayor’s plan to replace 25 police with 25 social workers. Beginning October 1 unarmed social workers will be responding to the following “non violent” 911 calls instead of the police.

Disorderly intoxication
Intoxication
Mental health crisis
Drug overdose
Disorderly juvenile
Homeless complaint
Panhandling
Neighborhood dispute

We sometimes visited attractions in the St Pete area. No more.

[Lblueocala]

Wait till social workers get killed, and if it becomes violent do the social workers then call police for help? The government does solve anything, they create more problems not less and putting them in control is a very bad idea

[stan the man]

UK police officers do not carry guns on a regular basis...follow the mother country

[bgonzen]

Originally Posted by John41

“Crazy as hell” is what a St. Petersburg, Florida resident called the mayor’s plan to replace 25 police with 25 social workers. Beginning October 1 unarmed social workers will be responding to the following “non violent” 911 calls instead of the police.

Disorderly intoxication
Intoxication
Mental health crisis
Drug overdose
Disorderly juvenile
Homeless complaint
Panhandling
Neighborhood dispute

We sometimes visited attractions in the St Pete area. No more.

Good luck with that Mayor. Hope you have nice nest egg socked away for you worker compensation increased costs!

[George Page]

The social workers can organize a Kum Ba Yah sing-a-long when they get there

[michellevanhaste]

Agreed

[rlcooper70]

Have you done a bit of research on what happened with Camden NJ defunded the entire police department? They had 350 officers in 2010 and the entire county now has 401 (2018) ... crime is nearly half and cost is way down as the government pensions were "modified". And replacing "some" officers with social workers is very different than replacing the entire force. Ha ha. Or were you not aware that 25 is only 4.5% of the 562 police officers? Did you over-react? Shame on you.

[camaguey48]

Originally Posted by Lblueocala

Wait till social workers get killed, and if it becomes violent do the social workers then call police for help? The government does solve anything, they create more problems not less and putting them in control is a very bad idea

A nation of sheep begets a government of wolves. Edward R. Murrow

[Gulfcoast]

Originally Posted by mamamia54

Lately it seems stupid and irresponsible is exactly what they are. I’m beginning to not know who is worse, the rioters or the politicians caving in to all these crazy, nonsensical demands.

They are one and the same. Those that aid and abet are responsible, too.

[banjobob]

In regard to St Pete mayor's loonesy we are in a very safe location but armed and trained, should the perils of the mob of thugs come here.

[Dana1963]

It works out so much better in Sumter County no matter what everyone gets jailed. For everyday you spend in jail a person is assessed $50 on top of fine. Then may get some type of mental health or substance abuse help usually these people have minimum paying job with no health insurance ultimately no counseling’s its a revolving door. The only help for offenders I have seen in our area is House of Hope prayer counseling.

[Jazzman]

Originally Posted by rlcooper70

Have you done a bit of research on what happened with Camden NJ defunded the entire police department? They had 350 officers in 2010 and the entire county now has 401 (2018) ... crime is nearly half and cost is way down as the government pensions were "modified". And replacing "some" officers with social workers is very different than replacing the entire force. Ha ha. Or were you not aware that 25 is only 4.5% of the 562 police officers? Did you over-react? Shame on you.

What you say regarding the number of officers in Camden is correct. However if you believe that crime dropped by almost half, no doubt you didn’t live in the southern part of NJ or the suburbs of NJ in close proximity to Philadelphia. And the state police supplement the Camden force when necessary. Did you know that as well?

[allsport]

Nurses have handled these situations for decades without fire power. Violent people cause violence and the police have escalated situations for years. Rarely in the ED did we need to call police and we had most of those situations present on a regular basis. Call when you need help.

[jonathanb]

Originally Posted by John41

“Crazy as hell” is what a St. Petersburg, Florida resident called the mayor’s plan to replace 25 police with 25 social workers. Beginning October 1 unarmed social workers will be responding to the following “non violent” 911 calls instead of the police.

Disorderly intoxication
Intoxication
Mental health crisis
Drug overdose
Disorderly juvenile
Homeless complaint
Panhandling
Neighborhood dispute

We sometimes visited attractions in the St Pete area. No more.

They will find out when one of these “so called” non violent incidents turns violent and they are ill equipped to handle it.