What the hell is going on? Cops and civilians being assaulted and killed by criminals running wild, businesses being looted at will, carjacking replacing Carvana, district attorneys refusing to prosecute and politicians spreading the anti-police rhetoric of special interest groups … hey folks, this is not from a movie depicting a future dystopian society. No, this is now!

ABC News recently reported homicide rates reached historic levels in 12 U.S. cities in 2021. What’s striking is that the 12 cities are not those most would think of. Cities such as Indianapolis, Louisville, Columbus, Philadelphia and Baton Rouge accounted for 1,238 homicides up to the first week of December 2021. That’s 1,238 dead people in five cities out of thousands of American municipalities, 1,238 families ruined, 1,238 people removed, forever altering the social fabric of their communities. 

Homicide is the most devastating of crimes, creating fear, despair and hopelessness. History shows the answer to corralling out-of-control crime is smart policing, not reticent policing. During the 1970s and 1980s, homicides in the nation’s largest city, New York, rose to annual numbers exceeding 2,000. New Yorkers had enough and elected people who said they would tackle crime head on, and that’s what was done. The politicians listened to the people, not fringe groups that wanted criminals coddled. The New York City Police Department started with addressing public disorder, the root of the crime tree. The root’s growth was curtailed and, in some cases, extinguished. The branches began to lose strength, leaves died, new branches did not grow and New York experienced historic decreases in homicides and all crimes. A success the people wanted — success because of smart policing and successful political leadership. Something that is lacking today.

Today’s anti-police narrative has invaded the public and political conversation, yet those who work in law enforcement scratch their heads saying, “What are they talking about?” The narrative in no way reflects reality, but to those who cannot think for themselves, the anti-police narrative is truth.

Consider the recent rant by New York City theater actor Jacqueline Guzman, who complained about street closures during the line-of-duty death funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Midtown Manhattan for 22-year-old New York City Police Officer Jason Rivera. She publicly posted herself saying, “We do not need to shut down most of Lower Manhattan because one cop died for probably doing his job incorrectly. They kill people under 22 every single day for no good reason, and we don’t shut down the city for them.” Guzman continued about trying to get emergency vehicles through and ended her rant referring to Police Officer Rivera as, “one fucking cop.”

Her frustration is not what is surprising. Her statement, “They kill people under 22 every single day …” is. Where does this thinking come from? I suggest it is from the irresponsible political dialogue that has permeated the weak minds and loud mouths of those who are incapable of dealing with reality.