[Florida17]

Has anyone asked the social workers about this?

[Bernie1]

Who or What decides the success of this program? Are police sent as back up to protect a social worker? At what point are they allowed to intervene if at all? How many social workers lives have to be lost to consider this experiment a failure ? How many could be taken hostage themselves ? This all sounds like a recipe for disaster.

The real problem is that the people who push these radical ideas have no skin in the game. It’s ok to put another persons life at risk if it gets them re-elected.

It’s easy to talk the talk - try putting your own ass on the line, but that would never happen.

[lwmilo]

Good luck with that. What are you smoking?

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by nututv

haha. I see a dead social worker in the headlines soon.

Good luck with that

[jbrown132]

That was meant for the original post. Sorry

[Scorpyo]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Mayor Tim Keller announced on Monday that Albuquerque is creating a "first-of-its-kind" civilian public safety department that would use unarmed social workers, housing and homelessness specialists, and violence prevention coordinators to respond to certain 911 calls instead of police.

I think that some social workers will refuse to go into certain neighborhoods even if they were armed. And, how many female social workers are going to respond to a 911 call at night in a strange neighborhood. Who thinks this is a good idea?

Actually it’s a brilliant idea. Stupid practice but brilliant idea. “See what we’ve done for the community “. We’ve replaced those horrible cops with social workers. Don’t forget to vote for me “. Next year. “How many situations have the social workers responded to? Uh, none yet. We didn’t get any of those certain 911 calls that would require their appearance “. Typical political BS speak.

[Surf Daddy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Mayor Tim Keller announced on Monday that Albuquerque is creating a "first-of-its-kind" civilian public safety department that would use unarmed social workers, housing and homelessness specialists, and violence prevention coordinators to respond to certain 911 calls instead of police.

I think that some social workers will refuse to go into certain neighborhoods even if they were armed. And, how many female social workers are going to respond to a 911 call at night in a strange neighborhood. Who thinks this is a good idea?

My sister-in-law is a social worker in Columbus, OH. She said if she is required to make house calls without an armed police officer, she will resign immediately, for her own safety. She said many of her associates would do the same. It seems like the politicians did not consult with the social workers.

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by Bucco

Yes, it is. I applaud that city for opening dialogue to solve a problem. That is the way to solve problems.

You can do nothing, blame everyone else or open dialogue and create a newer, and hopefully better way to handle the problem.

Nobody is doing the latter, and thus it deserves a better presentation than your headline, which on this forum simply begins another round of judgements, etc.

The ‘problem’ is racism and injustice among police’, not police departments in whole, but a small % of police who are racist or overly brutal or both. To solve a problem one must understand the problem. The small % of police officers in many cases are repeaters over their careers who have been reprimanded but not relieved of duty because of unions or other cops. Make the brutal and racist offenses fireable, even if a firearm was not used. In other words, clean up the bad cops.

[Saluce]

As a former 911 Dispatcher (16yrs), I see this as a disaster!! Most social workers will call for police assistance to stand by when going into areas mentioned so how is this going to work?Many calls If this sort can go downhill very quickly. Most Social Workers are female & most likely are not trained to defend themselves when a situation does go downhill and talking nicely will not protect them!! How are these particular called going to be received? Through 911 or are these workers going to be called through another number?
If 911, then will it be up to the discretion of the 911 dispatcher to decide who to send. Or will police be dispatched along with the social workers???? Hummmmm...... it will be like sending a soldier to the front lines with nothing to protect themselves with.
Interesting to see how this plays out. Personally, I see a disastrous situation & ending.

[Bay Kid]

But what will happen on weekends, nights and man made holidays?

[ColdNoMore]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

The ‘problem’ is racism and injustice among police’, not police departments in whole, but a small % of police who are racist or overly brutal or both. To solve a problem one must understand the problem. The small % of police officers in many cases are repeaters over their careers who have been reprimanded but not relieved of duty because of unions or other cops. Make the brutal and racist offenses fireable, even if a firearm was not used.

In other words, clean up the bad cops.

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to paint with a broad brush (on a LOT of issues, from every side) and the good people...get plastered with the brush meant for just the bad ones.

If institutions/entities made more effort in cleaning up their own houses...there would be a substantial decrease in the problems we're seeing.

[Guitarman1951]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Mayor Tim Keller announced on Monday that Albuquerque is creating a "first-of-its-kind" civilian public safety department that would use unarmed social workers, housing and homelessness specialists, and violence prevention coordinators to respond to certain 911 calls instead of police.

I think that some social workers will refuse to go into certain neighborhoods even if they were armed. And, how many female social workers are going to respond to a 911 call at night in a strange neighborhood. Who thinks this is a good idea?

I can't believe some place is actually dumb enough to try this ridiculous idea. I bet the criminals there are giddy. They might need to open up some more morgues because these unarmed civilians are going to be dead meat in no time.

[roscoguy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Mayor Tim Keller announced on Monday that Albuquerque is creating a "first-of-its-kind" civilian public safety department that would use unarmed social workers, housing and homelessness specialists, and violence prevention coordinators to respond to certain 911 calls instead of police.

A pretty bold experiment, even in 21st century American society. Even if "calls about homelessness, intoxication, drug use, addictions and mental health" aren't the most violent, much risk still exists. I just hope this plays out well for all involved.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Mayor Tim Keller announced on Monday that Albuquerque is creating a "first-of-its-kind" civilian public safety department that would use unarmed social workers, housing and homelessness specialists, and violence prevention coordinators to respond to certain 911 calls instead of police.

I think that some social workers will refuse to go into certain neighborhoods even if they were armed. And, how many female social workers are going to respond to a 911 call at night in a strange neighborhood. Who thinks this is a good idea?

instead of replacing police replace the politicians who allowed crime to flourish in the first place

[Number 10 GI]

Originally Posted by ColdNoMore

Unfortunately, it is all too easy to paint with a broad brush (on a LOT of issues, from every side) and the good people...get plastered with the brush meant for just the bad ones.

If institutions/entities made more effort in cleaning up their own houses...there would be a substantial decrease in the problems we're seeing.

Wow, didn't think I'd ever agree with you on something but do on this. Don't worry we won't be taking warm shower together in the early morning hours.