Redefining Public Safety: Defunding the Police and Investing in Community Programs

The chapter discusses the idea of reallocating the funds currently spent on policing to programs that have been proven to enhance community safety and citizen well-being. It highlights that majority of the calls received by the police are for non-violent encounters, and the presence of armed officers often exacerbates the situation rather than resolving it. The chapter also reveals common misconceptions about the police's ability to solve crimes and emphasizes the importance of education equity and job opportunities in crime reduction. It concludes by advocating for the defunding of the police and redirecting resources towards community programs that focus on violence prevention and mental health treatment.