Fund the services that actually keep people safe

It’s time to rethink our model of community safety. Armed police don’t make people feel safe, and in our society they are not generally perceived by those who are most likely to come in contact with them as people who will make things better. The risk of calling the police for a wellness check is so high that I would never consider doing it. I would much rather see investments in anti-poverty, safe housing, family services and mental health initiatives that will actually make people safer.