Research is important, as I’m sure you will agree. Without research, we wouldn’t gain any new knowledge. But research of any kind should be governed by some kind of rules of ethics. The risk vs. gain of the scientific methodology should be closely examined before beginning. On another note, punishing someone in a way that puts others in peril is similarly risky. It shows a lack of respect for others while seeking vengeance or anger against one or more people. Or if an action is based on a money motive that again puts innocents in the figurative or literal line of fire, is that acceptable?
The New York Police Department is doing something that may or may not be research driven, but it will surely yield some kind of results and responses. After the murder of two police officers, the NYPD has placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of Mayor Bill de Blasio. In their anger, they are conducting what may be an experiment: they are decreasing arrests and issuing fewer summonses. This has been going on for two weeks. They deny that they have organized any kind of work slowdown, but the data disagrees.
Why they are taking this course of action isn’t entirely clear. Are police officers seeing if their reduced work (research) will INCREASE crime and prompt the citizens will become angered with Mayor de Blasio? Are they simply cutting back on some arrests to reduce the financial strain on the city? Or are they simply acting without thinking. Showing their anger by punishing everyone by not doing their job to the best of their abilities? Could it be a combination or something else all together? Absolutely.
The problem is that the side effect of all of these reasons is that there is less policing. Less policing may well be putting the citizens of New York City at an increased risk of being the victims of crime. Is this an acceptable risk for any reason?
The New York Times put together some statistics. They show that there has been a decline in arrests, parking, traffic, and summons issuing in every precinct in NYC. Robberies increased last week, and while other major crimes are still slightly less than last year, nobody knows if it will stay that way.
Arrests were significantly reduced, especially for public transit and housing. There is almost no police monitoring of the subways. Last week they arrested only three people for skipping out on fares. Last year the number for the same week was over 400. But there were no unsafe riding or narcotic arrests at all, only two truant summons, and nine robbery arrests. These numbers are ridiculously low compared to last year.
Police are ignoring minor infractions and issuing very few traffic violations. This is a money-motive hit because the city generates a lot of income from traffic tickets.
Politicians may try to explain away the numbers and say that things will return to normal on their own, but in the meantime, what about the victims of crimes? What about encouraging crime when criminals realize they can get away with things?
The police force is trying to make a point that is not particularly clear with their actions. Hopefully, someone in a position of authority will find out what it is they are trying to accomplish with their slowdown and discuss what can be done to solve the problem. The people of NYC should not be collateral damage, no matter what the reason.
