Barely two weeks after violent protests and riots began to ravage cities across the US, very serious shifts in police practices had already begun to reflect the controversial calls for defunding and even abolishing local law enforcement agencies. NBC reported on June 11th that the San Francisco Police Department “will stop responding to non-criminal activities such as disputes between neighbors, reports about homeless people and school discipline interventions” as part of a police reform plan announced by the mayor. This is a shocking development, unprecedented in modern American municipalities, and continued withdrawal of law enforcement from numerous calls for help is certain to expand the scope of many dangers and problematic situations that were already a growing risk to businesses and communities. One of several considerations to be made here is that incidents involving violence or criminal acts often don’t begin as such, and failing to provide an adequately equipped peace officer to intervene can allow a situation to deteriorate and ultimately result in unnecessary danger and potential death. Another factor is that research clearly shows reducing a proactive effort to prevent the accumulation of criminal activity and to apprehend perpetrators will always lead to significant increases in violent crime and associated damage & destruction. A recent Washington Post article points out:

“The connection between de-policing and crime increases has been documented before. A 2005 study of de-policing after the anti-cop riots in Cincinnati in 2001 by University of Washington economist Lan Shi, for example, found a significant increase in felony crime caused by the drop-off in officer engagement.”

What does this mean for you? If you or your family or employees are endangered, if your business assets are threatened, can you rely on the police to protect you and your interests? If an unwanted confrontation or potentially dangerous activity occurs at your home or office, or even out in public, do you have confidence that police will answer your urgent call for assistance? The further that law enforcement budgets and procedures are constricted, the more that confidence quickly erodes, and the greater your risk exposure becomes. This only widens the gap that professional protection services can bridge, and it quickly emphasizes just how critical that abridgment is.

In today’s world of increasing crime, rapid advances in technology and capability, and now decreasing government protections, it is more essential than ever to utilize professional protection services of the highest caliber. Force Protection Agency (FPA) is the world leader of those services and delivers premier results through an elite team of seasoned agents with extensive military and law enforcement backgrounds, combined with cutting edge technology and strategy. The danger all around us may be expanding, but with the right team and tools, you can be confident in overcoming that challenge.