No More Police Officers? Sure, What Could Go Wrong? [OPINION]

The emotional outbursts in the wake of the government killing of George Floyd have been a mixed bag. Along with looting, we have a "defund the police" movement.

Call me a traditionalist, but I like knowing the local police are around my town. I have what may now be considered a radical position: we have police because the police are needed. The folks who came before us and lived without police officers decided they needed them to protect and serve the taxpayers and their property.

However, I'm also for revisiting government policies and financial allocations. I don't think we should defund the police. By the way, "defund the police" is a sloppy way of saying fire all the men and women who are employed as officers and support staff in the local police departments.

If a city or town wants to fire all of the police officers they have working for them, I guess they can do that and live with the consequences. I wouldn't want to live in a place like that and I can assure you most people don't, either. But if a city or town feels they will have a better life in a law enforcement-free zone, then who am I to judge if I don't live in that place?

But what community can function without private property? The police are there to provide the defense of private property. You can't have a functioning retail economy without some way to protect the businesses. Exotic businesses, such as grocery stores, clothing shops, and convenience stores will be unable to function in a law enforcement-free zone.

But you can take two or three buses to the city or town that has both police officers and food from your liberated zone.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.