After Firing Their Police Department, Crime Rates in Texas Town Drops By 61%

[Rainman]

No they didn't leave their streets unprotected. They hired a private firm to "serve and protect." Is it proof that private firms can do a better job enforcing the law?

In 2012 Sharpston the Texas Town fired their cops:

The Sharpstown Civic Association then hired S.E.A.L. Security Solutions, a private firm, to patrol their streets.

And . . .

“Since we’ve been in there, an independent crime study that they’ve had done [indicates] we’ve reduced the crime by 61%†in just 20 months, says James Alexander, Director of Operations for SEAL.

Shaming police departments by doing better work?

Another aspect, and possibly the most important, that sets privatized police apart from agents of the state, is that they have a negative incentive to initiate force.

Texas Town Experiences 61% Drop in Crime After Firing Their Police Department | The Free Thought Project

Maybe cops ought to learn a thing or two from private security firms?

 

[Gabe]

Maybe money talks? As contractors they know they have to do a good job to keep the contract, but it shouldn't be like that and the police force should be trusted. I'm not sure what it boil down to, a power or ego shot from being in the police force or complacency? Maybe they should make it harder to join and pay more?

 

[missbishi]

Maybe there was just a culture of apathy within the previous force. Perhaps things were so badly run that they felt little incentive to work to the best of their abilities. It certainly seems as though the private firm are doing a better job but it would be wise to take a look at what went wrong amongst the previous employees and take steps to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

 

[dyanmarie25]

It looks like police departments aren't as effective as we think. But of course, since it's a private firm, you can really see huge improvements in the community since you're paying them much money. Definitely, money can buy you anything, even protection/security.

 

[Patrick]

It's hard not to attribute a casual link when the change in crime is so evident. I think it goes to show that there is bureaucratic inefficiency and possibly corruption in a state-run police force.