The thin blue line...
This phrase conjures different meanings to different people.
Those of us who have been harassed and physically assaulted by police and those who have never crossed paths crossway with law enforcement will have entirely different ideas on what this means.
For the purpose of this write up let's say the thin blue line is as follows: The men and women of law enforcement are the thin blue line between us and all of the really bad people and events that we are unaware of that happen each and every day and without them it would be like a Madmax movie. Utter chaos mayhem and survival of the fittest.
I'll argue the private sector is not only at least as good, but far superior to protecting you from the bad actors of this world.
Just as one example. I own a small electrical contacting company and we were located on a job site in what was a high crime neighborhood. There had been multiple break ins and vandalism to the building we were renovating. As contractors we asked the police force to patrol the area and keep an eye out. We were told they couldn't allocate resources to that but if we wanted to we could pay $30.00 per hour to have them park an officer and cruiser on the property.
Yes you read that right... A police force we are forced to pay for through taxation was unable to (protect and serve) without additional payment. That itself could be another blog post all together.
There was another break in and we lost nearly $12,000.00 worth of tools. The police promptly showed up to (file a report after the fact of course) and take notes about what had happened. They were sure to tell us that (we) should check the local pawn shops to see if we could locate any of out property. (When do we get to the protecting and serving part?) Still waiting...
This is not at all a unique situation any way shape or form. I'll argue the Private sector (you know those greedy profiteers who only care about money) have done FAR MORE to prevent crime than any blue line or agent in some magic uniform has ever done, or will ever be capable of doing.
Just look at a few products that helped protect you and your property.
Everything from Constantine wire to additional lighting to keep creepers form creeping your parking lot. Security cameras, card reader systems to limit access to certain buildings, GPS tracking devices to help locate stolen vehicles and equipment. Pepper spray, firearms, self defense instructors. How about cyber security to keep people from hacking important financial information? How about insurance? "Mine had me a check within a couple of weeks." Locksmiths, fencing, smart keys for automobiles? Private security companies?
Not only CAN the private sector better protect you, the private sector DOES protect you better. If the THIN BLUE LINE were the only thing between us and hell on earth nobody would have bothered to invent, sell, buy or use any of the products or services I mentioned above.
We are constantly fed this lie that law enforcement is necessary, benevolent, heroic, and faces danger at every turn. We are encouraged to "thank them for their service" when in fact it is private companies, inventors, and entrepreneurs we should be thanking for their services.
When somebody tells you, "next time your in trouble call a Crack head" you can assuredly laugh at them and remind them there are far better options than crack heads or police. "I've never been physically assaulted by a crack head, although I can't say the same about the police."
Be sure to check out the great video below. Dale Brown's threat management team has done for the crime ridden streets of Detroit what law enforcement couldn't or wouldn't do.
Question reality, demolish the hype.
Selah
