Ferguson one year later: It is now fashionable to vilify police regardless of the facts
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2015/08/07/ferguson-anniversary-where-do-go-from-here.htmlAs the first anniversary of the fatal Ferguson, Missouri police encounter approaches, we can expect activists and opportunists to return to the small town and take to their soapboxes to stage protests, disparage law officers, and call for additional limits on the police. Sadly, the anniversary of this watershed moment in policing finds a much degraded image of law enforcement in America, increasingly polarized views on crime and policing, and concerning increases in homicide in cities across the country. While clear-headed opportunities for positive change have been ever-present, conflict and negativity have ruled the discussion
Fueled by negative media reports and an Administration-led political agenda, it is now fashionable to vilify your local police, loudly and often, regardless of the facts. As the trend expands, we will inherit the obvious result - good men and women already doing difficult, often thankless, work opting out of the profession; young prospects taking other paths for their careers; rising crime rates as beleaguered cops retreat from proactive policing.
From Washington, D.C. to Washington State it’s already happening. In the nation's capital, the Metropolitan Police Department struggles to hire new officers while facing record attrition. They do so while murder and violent crime have jumped after recent record lows. In Washington State, there is a shortage of State Police to patrol the highways. State police in Vermont and Wisconsin have also expressed concerns over recruiting shortages. One recruiting officer in Madison says many potential candidates mention the lack of public support as a main factor for reconsidering police work. News reports cite research by the International Association of Chiefs of Police showing an 80 percent decline in police applications in southern towns.
Ron Hosko nails it right on the head. Courtesy of leftist media and White House.
