Troops Patrolling American Streets Is the Latest Symptom of a National Crisis

Military troops on civilian streets are the latest manifestation of the rapidly escalating crisis in law enforcement in America. In Washington, D.C., nearly 800 National Guard troops have been sent to our nation’s capital to help get skyrocketing crime under control. In New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham deployed Guard personnel to Albuquerque to handle non-enforcement duties so police could focus on responding to incoming calls for help. And in New York City, Guard members now patrol subways to deter crime.

On the surface, these moves appear decisive—swift responses to violence and disorder. In the short term, they may even restore a level of stability. But this is not a sustainable, long-term solution. Rather, it is a symptom of a much larger and more dangerous problem: our communities are suffering from the lasting effects of a crisis plaquing law enforcement nationwide. 

Over the last five years, police departments have been hollowed out, budgets cut, morale crushed, and experienced officers driven into early retirement or other careers. Recruitment has slowed to a trickle. The result is undeniable. Police response times in many areas have risen dramatically. Typically, it takes officers five to 10 minutes to respond to an emergency. However, in the last several years alone, law enforcement response times have doubled. That statistic is especially alarming, considering that the average violent attack is over within less than 10 seconds.

Although not solely responsible for this crisis, the “Defund the Police” movement certainly exacerbated this problem and dramatically altered the landscape of public safety for generations to come.

Read the full op-ed from Townhall HERE.