Community services CAN be done well…
I live in Eugene, OR. My little apartment is not in the best part of town. There are lots of unhoused people here.
This morning this young woman is sitting on the hot asphalt next to our dumpsters and screaming and crying hysterically. She's having a particularly bad day and she needs help.
The only help I could offer was a protein cookie and some juice. But if you call the non-emergency number here in Eugene, you are given three options.
Police
Fire and Rescue
CAHOOTS
CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets)
CAHOOTS, “the Mobile Crisis and Medic response team for Eugene-Springfield’s Public Safety System, as a crucial component of Lane County’s crisis intervention services. Additionally, as a Federally Qualified Health Center, we offer various services, including medical, dental, drug and alcohol treatment, counseling, and crisis intervention.”
In Eugene, you don't have to call the cops in a situation like this. This young woman does need help, but she does not need some armed-to-the-teeth gunslingers rolling up on her. No matter how well intended, there is ALWAYS a chance of escalating violence with cops.
Here, all you have to do is press 3 instead of 1. This is what is meant by “defund the police” (a phrase that we need to eliminate asap). Diverting SOME funds away from police in order to bolster community services like this.
In this country we need to take better care of all of our citizens.
