The graphs to the left are another view of the statistics of crime reported by the Maryland Heights Police Department, in the last 30 days.I find it interesting that traffic offences make up the largest share of police operations.
Perhaps it is high time for police departments to focus more on the other more violent types of crimes than on just traffic crimes.
Is it any wonder that many citizens identify police departments as glorified revenue raisers rather than physical and peace protection agencies?
The police departments, admittedly do a fairly reasonable job of policing the roads. Why? Because traffic citations add directly to local government and police department revenues.
When governments continue to increase funding for municipal police departments, this often does not impact the other areas of police funding.
It is disappointing when statistics like above, prove that police resources are directed more to revenue generating traffic offenses than to actively reducing or preventing crimes of theft, larceny, break and enter, sexual offenses, vehicle theft, robbery etc.
Perhaps it may be time for local governments and police departments to re-examine their priorities?
Concentrate on reducing the crime rate rather than generating multiple revenue streams.
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