Coming back to this. This system isn't designed for community health or mental health of the individual.
which is a very true statement, yet law enforcement has been tasked (sometimes willingly, sometimes not) as the defacto group responsible for community health or mental health of the individual (hence why they can commit someone, but EMS can't).
Prisons are merely punitive. Once you're out, then what? Getting hired or finding a place to live is harder. Haven't you served your time and paid your debt to society? Yet the punishment continues. Either let people out as full members of society because they've regained trust, or don't let them out or if they're that much of a threat, execute them. Sounds harsher than what I mean it to.
Prisons are NOT meant to be punitive. however, you are correct, that the prison system is more designed to protect society than the actual prisoner. And I know this sounds harsh, but actions have consequences, and you can't fault an employee or landlord for favoring someone who hasn't been convicted of a crime over someone who has. harsh, maybe, but that's the truth. and it's really really hard to execute someone in the US, even if they are a huge threat.
And putting it quite bluntly, prison is not supposed to be nice. it shouldn't be a pleasant experience. actions have consequences, especially if you violate the laws of society. Should you be able to be productive in prison? sure, why not? complete your GED, earn a college degree, learn a new skill, get some counseling, and yes, the idea is after you have served your time, you come out a better person, and don't repeat the same mistakes.
lets also not forget, LEOs don't make the laws, they just enforce them. if you have a problem with the laws, you need to contact your legislative representative. but just because you think a crime is minor, or the law shouldn't be enforced, doesn't mean the cop shouldn't do his or her job.
Having had CPS called on my family when I was a child, multiple times, even though there was rampant physical and mental abuse, nothing was done. They are useless and a waste of space and taxpayer money. Having stupidly forgotten the incompetence of government systems, I called them as an adult. My "anonymous" report was basically read verbatim and the crapshow that followed was its own punishment for forgetting that lesson.
and yet, that is what those who want to defund the police aim to have happen; have other entities handle situations that were previously handled by PD. and BTW, CPS is one of the hardest jobs out there. their caseload is enormous, they pay isn't nearly enough, and no one is ever happy with what they do. and they don't have the resources to do the job well, because all too often, the resources don't exist. Still, sorry to hear you had to go through that.
A neighbor of mine is a cop. He used to be a corrections officer and didn't have a weapon. He had to use his mind, his words, to settle things. He carried this into LE and regularly de-escalates situations and makes sure people know they're being listened to.
Most cops don't know how to do this. Many of them antagonize the situation without knowing they have other options. But when the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer....
this is an example of you not knowing what you are talking about. I bet your neighbor cop always has his gun on him when he is in uniform. and I would imagine he carries a firearm when he's off duty too. No cop starts his shift saying he is looking forward to shooting someone. most cops don't want to have to draw their gun. heck, 95% of cops in the US have never fired their weapon outside of range time. Most cops don't antagonize people (but yes, there are jerks who do, just like in EMS, the fire service, healthcare, corporate America, you name it), but when your life is threatened, you have the right to defend yourself, esp when verbal de-escalation tactics won't work.
I don't think cops need that hammer and that niche is being filled by agencies of all kinds and people who mashed a square bung into a round hole and shrug when it leaks.
I'll make you a deal: Go become a cop. a uniformed LEO. and do everything that cops are expected to do. and never carry your firearm. for a year. for a month. I bet after a week, you will revise that statement.
But the truth is, there's no real large scale agency to answer these mental health calls. Everyone has their own idea who and how it's handled.
see above regarding PD being the catchall for when no one else can do it.
Just wait until the ambulance stages for 3 hours for the scene to be safe. If I worked 911, I wouldn't just roll in because the gunshots are 30 minutes apart instead of 2.
and yet, you don't think cops should carry firearms, because the only tool in the toolbox is a hammer?
Protestors have destroyed non LEO responder vehicles, various rigs, crews have been hurt or put in danger. I'm not sure if any died.
6 cops have died since the protests started. usually due to gunfire. 3 of whom are black. hundreds, if not thousands, of cops have been injured. Several other cops have been shot, but survived according to
https://www.foxnews.com/us/george-floyd-protests-rioters-police-shot-hit-and-run
Want to know what happens when you disband the PD, as Minneapolis wants to do? Well, East Pittsburg did just that....
https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/07/21/east-pittsburgh-police-response/ https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/e...department-now-residents-regret-the-decision/
OK, this was waaaaay too long of a post, but there were a lot of erroneous statements made in the previous post. But yes, if you remove responsibilities from the PD, and assign them elsewhere, it makes sense to re-allocate those funds elsewhere.
. You make my goals with me a "deal". Ever since I couldn't get into the military, I've been aiming for police. I didn't think mentally or physically I was in a position to do it. I need to be more mature than I am now. 
