Jails vs. Police

“Statistics are Murderous” (Editorial, Nov. 5) discusses a reasonably wise decision made by the government of the city of San Diego, then proceeds to suggest an alternative course of action. Aren’t prudent governmental decisions rare enough in this country without someone contesting them? The editorial argues that “these are times that call for unorthodox approaches,” but are these times that call for a veritable admission of defeat? That is precisely what the diversion of funds to build new jails rather than to increase the effectiveness of the police force would signify.

Constructing a jail instead of augmenting police presence would mean beginning at the end. It would mean that we have virtually surrendered to the continued existence and even proliferation of crime.

The plan to increase the number of police on the street in high-crime areas would improve the chances of crimes being stopped or discouraged. Building a jail, however, would do nothing but provide a wasteful place in which to store people who had already done their part in contributing to the ills of the world. This would do little to console the victims of crimes which might not have taken place if the extra police officers had been present.

As a goal, the prevention of crimes is infinitely superior to the punishing of criminals. Though a society in which crime doesn’t exist certainly seems impossible, let’s not stop trying.

ADAM KERR, La Jolla