In Lawrence, Police Cuts Equal More Crime
Lawrence, Mass. was once considered the most dangerous city in the state. That was in the 1990s. Just five years ago, however, the town was experiencing a steady drop in crime and had an 18 month run with no reported homicides. But now, things are changing again.
In a report from The Boston Globe, a reporter had a chance to ride along with officers and interview some about the recent changes. What he found was a department on edge and a city experiencing more crime.
Due to a budget deficit several specialized squads on the police force had to be cut. The antigang unit is gone and community policing has been replaced with reactive policing, or a department of officers with only enough time and coverage on a shift to “put out fires”, so to speak.
The cuts were mad in July 2010 when there were 151 police officers working for the city of Lawrence. Now there are only 111 for a city of 77,000. Police Chief John Romero warned the cuts would be a mistake, calling them a “welcome map” for criminals.
Since the cuts, major crimes have risen 43% with the majority of the increase due to more aggravated assaults and auto thefts. Mayor Lantigua wouldn’t respond to the Globe’s request for an interview but said “Nobody is willing to work for free, and the city has no money.”
Lawrence isn’t alone in their battle for cash. Cities across the country are struggling to make ends meet and specialized forces, like those in Lawrence, are being dismantled left and right. But many of these cities are reporting record low crime rates, leading one to wonder what the difference is in Lawrence.
One Captain explains they have enough officers to cover the calls that come in, but that’s about it. Officers on specialized forces were often called out when the patrols were thin or when extra personnel were needed, now that simply isn’t an option.
For the average person in Lawrence the change might not be apparent. But for those who frequent night spots or who live in higher crime areas, the decline in patrol officers has to be apparent.
While the officers rush to put out fires and arrest those they can, the courts will pick up some of the slack, ensuring those facing criminal charges are dealt with in such a way that they might serve as an example to other potential criminals.
If you are facing charges, this might be you. Contact my offices today whether you are facing charges in Boston, Lawrence, or surrounding areas. I can offer you a free initial consultation to discuss the case and some potential ways in which I might be able to help.
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