Suppression alone vs. community policing

There are, of course, any number of ways a city and its police department can deploy to combat crime, reduce fear, and improve the quality of life.

Los Angeles has a commitment to community policing, a proven strategy now used world over, which includes a measured element of suppression as needed, but is ultimately healing and inclusive.

The Mayor, City Council, Police Commission, LAPD Department, and community-at-large have all worked hard recently to find ways to firm up police and community partnerships. We need to stay the course.

Don't get me wrong. Alone, a so-called "zero tolerance" model of dealing with crime will drive down the statistics, and rapidly too, at first.

But at what cost?

This policy aggressively goes after every misdemeanor, and every suspected misdemeanor, and it demands a police force much larger than LAPD's.

Civil liberties notwithstanding, oppressive tactics are experienced by the community in such a way as to invite anger and distrust, especially among those of color (well over 50% of LA's population).

In addition, police aggression is often perceived as confusing to the homeless, to the mentally ill, and to those who do not speak English (including, in LA's case, our many international tourists).

In Los Angeles, where the populace has been known to express itself through civil disobedience at even the suspicion of misconduct, we can not afford to use suppression alone.

At the very least, it breeds distrust between officer and resident, and mistakes on both sides are made.

At present, about 50% of LAPD's patrol group has under five years on the job. These are the Department's first responders, and there are far too few experienced supervisors in the field.

A sincere partnership with every corner of the City is what we need. In each of the Divisions, and in every neighborhood, public safety is the number one priority, and an understaffed LAPD, which is just again beginning to reap the benefits of cooperative efforts with the community, can ill afford to take any backward steps.

It takes courage to turn away from the quick fix in lieu of a long-term policy that can produce lasting healing, harmony and real solutions.

But that's the best course for Los Angeles, if we wish to be seen as a world class City. And believe me, the world is watching.