In the aftermath of George Floyd’s tragic death, a push by some on the left to shift policing strategies has taken shape. While the intent may stem from a desire to improve community relations, the execution has proven dangerous and misguided. The recent incident in Boston exemplifies this precarious approach.
Boston’s police department, in an attempt to respond to mental health crises with more compassion, employed a social worker to handle a call. This decision quickly spiraled into chaos when the clinician was attacked by an individual armed with a sword. Fortunately, police officers were present, intervening and ultimately taking down the assailant, who died in the process.
Critics of the movement to replace police officers with social workers emphasize the inherent risks involved. Seasoned officers often approach situations with caution and are trained to handle unpredictable circumstances. Yet, here, an unarmed social worker found himself on the front lines of a potentially lethal confrontation with no means of self-defense. This instance raises significant concerns about the wisdom of sending unarmed professionals to address volatile situations that could easily escalate.
The liberal dream of transforming community safety into a model reliant on social workers continues to collide with stark realities in urban settings. In a city like Boston, known for both its educational institutions and diverse neighborhoods, the attempted substitution of social workers for law enforcement revealed critical flaws in the concept. Just days ago, Boston’s BEST program sent a clinician to engage with an individual showing signs of serious mental distress. After almost an hour of dialogue through a locked door, the situation erupted when the man opened it and attacked.
Michael Cox, the Police Commissioner, described the weapon as “some sort of sword,” underscoring the unpredictability faced by first responders. The clinician was caught in an interaction that turned into a crisis in mere moments. Though the BEST program has been operational since 2011, and its clinicians have handled thousands of encounters, this incident brings into question the overall effectiveness and safety of these co-responder models during emergency calls.
The push for sweeping reforms following Floyd’s death seems to be gradually losing support, even among those who originally championed them. Defunding or diminishing police presence has backfired in numerous situations, where the need for swift law enforcement has become glaringly apparent. Just as many urban areas face rising crime rates, the enduring legacy of such reforms may yield dire consequences.
Moreover, as lawmakers like Zohran Mamdani advocate for a similar approach in larger cities like New York, one can only wonder: What could possibly go wrong? This sentiment reflects skepticism surrounding the push for less policing and more social work intervention. The Boston incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers that arise when well-meaning ideals confront harsh reality. The implications of rolling back police presence may go far beyond what proponents anticipate and merit serious reconsideration.
"*" indicates required fields
