More Boots on the Ground Helps in Policing as Well as in War

   If you don't have police, you have crime.

   I listened in on Laura Ingraham's town hall in Chicago tonight, learning the city is about 1,000 officers short. The blame was laid at Mayor Rahm Emanuel's feet, with it being noted you would have to ask him why he closed down three police stations.

   Since when do you shutter police stations? Since when is that a good idea?

   One of Ingraham's guests pointed to three causes: One, A high amount of drugs pouring into the city. Two, a high amount of guns on the streets. Three, A high amount of stolen goods being trafficked.

   Some are suggesting more gun control for this city already famous for gun control. I don't know whether gun control is an answer. To me, it seems the greater answer is to hire more police officers, and more detectives to investigate the crimes. 

   I also consider on the three causes cited by Chicago Alderman Anthony Napolitano. If he is right on the things fueling the violence, obviously you fight to shut off the flow of drugs into the city, you search for ways to reduce the number of guns (okay, I guess you might consider gun control), and you seek to stop the amount of goods being stolen.

   Hiring more officers plays into solving two of those three things. More officers gives you better odds at stopping the flow of drugs into the city. More officers gives you more resources to fight the amount of goods being stolen. 

   In a war, boots on the ground can be a big factor. Put enough boots on the ground that you catch some of the theft as it happens, simply by being in the neighborhood and spotting the crimes as they are unfolding. And, put enough boots in the office that once the crimes are committed, you can track down the criminals and bring them to justice.