Cops ask questions. It is how they are trained. It is what we expect of them. They are supposed to do more than accept things at face value. They are not supposed to simply believe everything that is told to them. Lying to the police is such a frequent reality, that the United States Congress made it a crime to lie to the Federal Bureau Investigation and other federal agents. While local police officers do not enjoy such legal protections, they are supposed to examine the evidence to see if it measures up before they act. So, why then are so many government officials and media “experts” frustrated that police officers are among those people asking questions about the efficacy, effectiveness, and risks of the experimental Covid-19 vaccines? Well, pandemic politics have spread at least as quickly as the virus associated with the Wuhan research lab. [Click the link below to read more.]
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In a simple one-word association, a citadel is a fortress. A fortress provides a physical defense from an invading force. The invading force could be a foreign army or even bandits, burglars, cutthroats, highwaymen, or mobs. In more theoretical terms, the invading force could be financial collapse. Last week, local billionaire Ken Griffin told other business leaders that the status of the Citadel Chicago headquarters of his investment firm was in jeopardy. Why? Because the response to violence and crime from the other citadel Chicago is failing. Quoting Griffin: “Chicago is like Afghanistan on a good day. And that’s a problem.” [Click the link below to read more.]
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When it comes to crime, most Americans traditionally looked to the criminal justice system to impose consequences. But, here is a key truth. When the system does not do so, consequences still occur. That which is not addressed in the courthouse, often plays out in the streets. A second truth: Last year, America’s urban areas became more vulnerable to unaddressed lawlessness. In that wake, deadly violence dramatically increased, a truly stark consequence. The 2020 increase in America’s national murder rate was about 30 percent. That is indeed a deadly truth and consequences lesson. In our society, truth and consequences can be deliberately obfuscated concepts. Too often we are told to ignore the truth. Relative to the fragility of public safety, 2020 provided a harsh reality check. [Click the link below to read more.]
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The news items we present on Secure 1776 are selected because they highlight major issues relating to policing. Because we believe the events presented matter longer than a moment, we continue to monitor these news items. With this post we provide updates on three recent posts focused on tragedy, service and public safety. The tragic grief of parents seeking justice for their murdered child. The actions of a police dispatcher during the moments of ultimate sacrifice and service. Confusion on how best to prioritize the overall public safety mission of the police. [Click the link below to read more.]
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To say that we are living in interesting, and challenging times is an understatement. Many elected officials across America have demonstrated confusion regarding the proper public safety role of the police. Many have advocated for the police not to be utilized for mental health or social service issues. Some public officials have changed laws and policies limiting the authority of the police to enforce numerous offenses within traffic and even criminal codes. Others have advocated that such enforcement should be limited to issuing citations only, without the use of physical arrests and absent any use of force. So, how does this viewpoint square with using the police for pandemic restrictions enforcement? From a logic standpoint, the two approaches really do not square.
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