Was the weekend's national uptick in violence a direct result of lessened police intervention?

Mandy (Yes)

Reducing police presence directly correlates to an uptick in violent crime. 6+ children were killed violently, while dozens were injured over the weekend from an unprecedented crime wave, all attributable to Democratic policies in Democratic-run cities. Undercover officers were removed in New York City on June 15th, and by June 25th, 'NYPD crime data shows the total number of shooting victims rose 42 percent,' and continues to rise.

'The Fergusen effect' of 2014, defined as, 'The current tolerance and justification for vandalism and violence; the silencing of police supporters; and police unwillingness to intervene, even when their own precincts are assaulted—[sends] a clear message to criminals that society has lost the will to prevent lawlessness.' This effect has been scientifically evaluated, as seen in a 2014-2016 study, as murder rates across America's largest cities jumped 17%. In 2015, James Comey said, 'Far more people of color are being killed in America's cities this year. And it's not the cops doing the killing.' Fast-forward to now, and we see the effect again. Reduce policing and crime spikes, allowing innocent people of color to suffer the most. 

Reviewing data from the 1990s -2014 shows how proactive policing and citywide emphasis on maintaining order reduces crime, protecting ALL residents. 'Hot-spotting' – placing police in areas with higher crime rates – helps deter crime. Without police (or an equivalent type of armed security force), civilians have no option except street justice, gang protection, and vigilantism.  

Police are by no means perfect. We must enact reforms and restrictions. But overall, police protect people of all colors because they’re present. Returning our societal focus to lawful order always reduces crime and save lives.

Jennifer (No)

Gun violence erupted over the July 4th weekend in cities all across the U.S. The City of Chicago addressed the deadly July 4th weekend by deploying 1,500 more officers. 79 people were shot, fifteen of them fatally, including two children.

But the city experienced the same last year, when 63 people were wounded and five killed. Neither deployment made much of a dent on the city's violence scale.

In New York City this Sunday night, the situation wasn't much better. NYC saw 56 people shot and nine dead, including an 11-year-old boy. But as former police officer and Borough of Brooklyn President, Eric Adams, pointed out, many people remained indoors 'for a long period of time, where a lot of anger and beef [was] communicated over the internet [...] So we're looking at the perfect storm of violence that we have to have the perfect plan to respond to.' If anything, this shows a clear need for gun legislation, especially in volatile times like these.

Anger and frustration, having boiled over, are responsible for this carnage.

The execution and belief in 'law and order' requires plenty of money is thrown at it to ensure “protection,” and is rooted in a misinterpretation of 'Defund the Police'. DtP is not about abolishing the police but reallocating resources to agencies accustomed to managing community mental health and homelessness challenges.

Naturally, law enforcement is loath to lose any of its allocated budget, and so, they lobby, ensuring that the public is fed a steady diet of crime and mayhem. What we need to stem the rising tide of violence in our society is not more police, but less, while spending more on other programs.