Since the shootings in Connecticut last Friday, a lot of people have come up with ideas for making the country a safer place. Sadly, most of these ideas can be summed up in two words: MORE GUNS!
I know I feel safer!
But a police chief in Arkansas has come up with the most insane idea so far. (second-most-insane if you count Megan McArdle)
His idea? More cops on foot patrol.
That doesn't sound crazy, does it? Well, I kinda left part out.
"[Police are] going to be in SWAT gear and have AR-15s around their neck," [Police Chief Todd] Stovall said. "If you're out walking, we're going to stop you, ask why you're out walking, check for your ID."
Instead of "more cops on foot patrol," I should have said "going full Gestapo."
Stovall said while some people may be offended by the actions of his department, they should not be.
Oh. You're right, I shouldn't be offended. I should be horrified.
"To ask you for your ID, I have to have a reason," he said. "Well, I've got statistical reasons that say I've got a lot of crime right now, which gives me probable cause to ask what you're doing out. Then when I add that people are scared...then that gives us even more [reason] to ask why are you here and what are you doing in this area."
So, you get people all riled up about how much crime you have, then use the up-riling to justify turning your town into 1960's Leningrad?
Mayor Gaskill wholeheartedly endorsed the plan. . . "[Residents] may not be doing anything but walking their dog, but they're going to have to prove it," Gaskill said.
