"On the way to work in the cab there was some talkback blather on. An argument was on between the host and the Victorian police minister. They were arguing that there were not enough police and that the ones that are there are too restrained by policy and procedure.
There must be an election coming up.
Did you ever notice that Law and Order is such a bullsh_t subject when it comes to politics. My neighbourhood watch newsletter arrived on the weekend. It says crime of all types is continuing to trend downwards. And no cops have mutilated or killed anyone in Victoria for ages. (Not that I've heard.)
So why more cops and why slacken the mongrel's leash? "
The simple answer is, more cops make the average citizen feel safe and secure. Well, at a pinch. There is of course the 'scandal' at Goulburn academy lately (my my, would police officers drink? shocking!).
As for crime trends, it's no secret that they would have to be one of the most unreliable and easily manipulated political tools ever (and trust me, I'm pretty familar with political spin). What are we looking at - the number of crimes that occur? Impossible to know, since many crimes go unreported. The number of crimes reported? This is often so easily influenced by factors such as media, etc. The morning's headlines about a shop broken into overnight often leads to increases in crimes reported - people offering information that could lead to a separate offence being committed, people getting the courage to dob in the neighbour for the suspicious behaviour they saw a few weeks ago, etc.
And even comparing crime stats across a period of time assumes that the method of reporting and recording crimes has stayed constant, which it never does. Let's not even get into police discretion in determining what should be recorded: what's worth following up, what's likely to be too difficult, what's regarded as a nuisance call.
When is the next Victorian election? We have our next NSW election in early 2007. Whether or not there is a change in government (I hope not, if only to prevent my job becoming even more of a nightmare - and I abhore the thought of having to support the Coaltition in any way, shape or form), therefore certainly will be a massive shakeup of ministerial portfolios.
Change in Federal government - bring it on!!
3 comments:
Hey! Melissa gets a computer at home! Way to go.
or at least a change in underwear ,, now thats refreshing mmmmm crisp cool clean underwear mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm !!!!!!
red glasses are for girls
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