robison@eosp1.UUCP (Tobias D. Robison) (09/13/84)
References: How can we make the streets safe for women and girls, anywhere, anytime? I have a suggestion; but first, let's not forget making the streets safe for men and boys also. The United States is very poorly patrolled by policemen. If you have ever spent an evening in the streets of Jerusalem, you will doubtless have noticed the everpresent policemen and other military people, just about everywhere. Even counting terrorist attacks, Jerusalem's streets are much safer than those of most other cities because of the heavy patrols. Many other areas in Israel are well patrolled also. I have discussed the idea of patrolling our streets better at various times. Many Americans feel that it is a terrible idea. They fear a police state takeover, the loss of freedom, or a general feeling of heavy state control. The fact is, we are under siege right now, we have lost freedom, but the control is being exerted by muggers. In Israel, many of the patrollers are young people drafted to serve in the military. They project a particularly friendly image, and are not too daunting. I think it is possible to do just as well here. If we had extensive patrols in the United States, we would use policemen, military (a draft might be necessary to have enough people, but the cuse would be good), and various types of volunteer organizations reporting to local governments. There would be obvious opportunities for abuses of this system, and oppression of minorities. No system is perfect, and I feel oppressed right now by the unsafety of the streets. I think the potential for abuse is far less than what we suffer now. The cost of the patrollers would be paid for by the governemnt, and thus by taxes, but the there might be no added burden to the citizenry due to fewer crimes being committed. The people on patrol would be there to help with many of life's most annoying emergencies, as well as to prevent muggings, robbery, and rape, and to report fires. Any comments? - Toby Robison (not Robinson!) allegra!eosp1!robison or: decvax!ittvax!eosp1!robison or (emergency): princeton!eosp1!robison