The state of our society is that people rely on the government for many things. Food, housing, healthcare, employment, you name it. It has been this way since the end of World War II, with the rise of the modern day welfare state. But most significantly, we rely on the state to protect us from others that would do us harm. What is interesting is that law enforcement, the police, actually have no legal obligation or duty to protect the citizenry.

The Cops Will Handle It…Or Will They?

The Cops Will Save You!

Many of us grow up with a false sense of security believing that if crime happens, the police will handle it. A guy follows you in the street at night, assaults you, steals your valuables and flees. You report it to the police and provide a description of the assailant. An officer finds the suspect matching the description in the next day or two and books him. Simple enough, right? Unfortunately, things do not always work out this way. Some officers may not be so hospitable or taken to your plight.

According to several court cases , the police have no obligation to help private individuals who are in need of assistance. It was clearly addressed as far back as 1856 in South v. Maryland, 59 US 396 that local law enforcement is under no duty to protect individuals, but only to serve the public at large. In that regard, if terrorism is afoot it is a matter of public concern and law enforcement officials are required to act. In contrast, if a woman has been raped or assaulted in the street or has been threatened by her ex-husband, the police do not have to act upon it.

As an example...in 2011 NYPD officers stood by as a  knife-wielding man went on a 28 hour killing spree, brutally slashing a man who ultimately managed to disarm him. The City of New York claimed that the police had no duty to protect Joseph Lozito, the man who stopped the attack. 

It’s a Community Matter

This problem, of course, ties back in to what society at large thinks. Many local communities refuse to get involved in what they regard as a ‘police matter.’ Instead of taking to the streets, creating block clubs and organizing a neighborhood association or neighborhood watch, many neighbors simply allow law enforcement to take care of a problem. In terms of crime prevention, this is not a very effective strategy.

Proactive vs. Reactive

Take Action, Don’t Wait!

It is also important to realize that the police, generally, react to crime (with the exception of crime prevention strategies). Law enforcement is not a proactive institution, much in the way their private counterparts are. Whereas security guards take the initiative in preventing crimes before they happen, via surveillance and patrols, police officers wait until a crime happens to take action. So even if the police were required to take action at every interval, there is only so much they would be able to do anyway, given the way that this government entity is structured.

Be a Proactive Citizen

Be Ready For Anything!

So what do you do? Self-reliance is the answer! As citizens, it is our responsibility to care for ourselves and our families. The only way to do that is be prepared for anything that might happen. Have pepper spray or a stun gun on-hand at all times (dependent on your local or state laws). Combine that with adequate training in self-defense tactics to be more effective. If you feel more comfortable having a gun, carry one (although it is highly recommended to avoid relying on a firearm due to the costs involved).

Do whatever you can in your power to feel safe. After all, “the best defense is a good offense.” Always prepare for the worst and do not rely on the police to provide help when you most need it. If you do, you may not live to regret it later. Don’t become another statistic!