Instead of Calling the Police

Why Avoid Calling the Police?

We should all be well aware that the police force in the United States enacts a system of racialized violence and white supremacy.

When the police get involved, all people of color, LGBTQ+ people, sex workers, women, undocumented immigrants, and those with disabilities or mental health diagnoses are usually put in the line of danger. This happens even when they're the victims of the crime reported. Even peaceful interactions get escalated by the police, and they see no repercussions for it.

So What Should I Do When There's Danger?

No doubt, we absolutely risk running into danger just by existing in the world. Let's say you see someone being harmed, you're worried for your safety, or your rights are being violated. How do you keep yourself and others safe without relying upon the foot soldiers of a system that's primarily about surveillance and protection of property? Where do you even start?

Where to Start

The work has to begin before an emergency arises, so it's always an excellent idea to get started educating yourself and changing your perspective early. That way you'll be ready, and your automatic response to danger won't be calling the police.

Get to Know Your Neighbors.
I get it. I'm a total introvert, and just saying "hi" to someone I don't know is a whole thing. This is important though! A vast majority of the things people call the police for involve loud sounds and mental health issues involving neighbors. Agree to reach out to one another if you have any issues before calling authorities.
Reframe How You View The Police.
White people are taught from a very young age to call the police whenever there' i's trouble - ANY trouble. Someone in the neighborhood is being loud, and it's late on a weeknight. A couple is fighting, and you're concerned about someone's safety. Someone has threatened to take their own life, and you want someone to check in to make sure they're not going to. We're not given alternatives up-front.

We're taught to prioritize our individual or our family's safety without prioritizing the safety of our neighbors or our larger community. When the urge to call the police arises, pause. Think. Breathe. Is there an alternative you can take right now?
Start Where You Are.
You're not going to know everything right off the bat, and you most definitely won't know everything by reading what I've put here, but don't use that as a reason to stop learning. There are situations where you really won't know how else to respond, like when there's a burglary, or serious violence. We're all trying to work together to find and create better alternatives.