A city attorney in California is taking heat for comments made during a recent city council meeting. Faced with a bankrupt city government and cutbacks to the police force, the official told citizens to “lock their door and load their guns” as a way to fight crime. Was this over the top or simply telling it like it is?
As reported by CBS in Los Angeles, San Bernardino City Attorney Jim Penman spoke before a group of about 150 local residents. They are frustrated and worried about the growing crime rate and falling police response times.
What’s interesting in this report is the dismay that the anchor and reporter have that Penman would actually say what he said. This is a city whose murder rate has gone up 50% in just one year. Is it any wonder that people are frustrated and scared?
If the police can’t protect the citizens, then the only logical alternative is for people to protect themselves. Not only is it a constitutional right, but, in this case, it’s a necessity.
Penman said the city is dealing with bankruptcy, which has forced officials to cut its police force by about 80 officers. Consequently, there’s been growing criticism about the police department’s response time.
“Let’s be honest, we don’t have enough police officers. We have too many criminals living in this city. We have had 45 murders this year…that’s far too high for a city of this size,” Penman said.
Perhaps California and its cities and towns should take a look around the country at governments that are doing things right. California may have low car emissions and less litter, but if you’re shot in the head, it really doesn’t do you much good, does it?
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