Virginia Democrats and police reform

[Anonymous]

Curious what Virginia residents and police think of this. It seems the Democrats have no interest in studies or research, but are basing their work on "community conversations."
Wondering when these community conversations have occurred and it they are the result of a very vocal minority.

- Virginia Democrats are proposing a long list of criminal justice reforms in response to the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others, but while some of them – such as banning chokeholds – are aimed at protecting citizens, at least one measure could reduce protection for officers.

According to a document shared by multiple local reporters and retweeted by the Virginia Senate Democrats, the proposals include downgrading the charge of assault on a police officer from a felony to a misdemeanor.

“The Senate Democratic Caucus has led and is continuing to conduct a series of community conversations to discuss these issues and we have heard from the public that now is not the time for studies or delay and that changes must be made during our Special Session,” says the document, which is titled, "Senate Democratic Caucus Police Reform and Criminal Justice Equity Plan."

It goes on to say, “We will continue to take public input and work with stakeholders, the House of Delegates, state agencies, and Governor Ralph Northam to refine these measures over the next 60 days.”

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/virginia-democrats-draft-proposal-to-downgrade-assault-on-police-to-misdemeanor

[Anonymous]

How many more studies do you think are needed? There has been a ton of research on police brutality and potential reforms. Governments have been creating commissions and doing studies for decades. What more do we need to know?

[Anonymous]

“Studies” in this field tend to be sponsored and paid for by police-affiliated “research centers” and other inherently biased sources. There’s no basis to take them even remotely seriously. Anecdotal evidence is likely to be more accurate than the fake statistics that “Institutes of Police Management” churn out.

[Anonymous]

I think politicians need to include police in on the reforms. They aren’t aware of what police do every day. I’m not saying there aren’t areas for reform. But look at the proposal in montgomery county to dispatch more social workers out of HHS. Sounds PERFECT on paper. But people experiencing mental health crises are often violent. A social worker may be more physically at risk of injury without police backup. The individual’s family or loved ones who are present may be more at risk. And the individual him/herself may also be at higher risk of self harm. There are times when specially trained LE is needed to help prevent harm. The problem is complex and the solution will be complex. Merely removing police from the equation could have unintended consequences. The solutions will be better if police get to weigh in.

After all, would a couple of social workers climb over a bridge on a road overpass to stop a guy from jumping? Would they be strong enough to pull him back up to safety? I have no doubt they are brave enough and committed enough. But are they trained and strong enough to do it? Maybe. But I know cops are.

[Anonymous]

This is idiotic.


Here's what else they want to do:

Pass a law against single family zoning. (They don't like suburbs.)
Get rid of Right to Work laws.
Pass Green New Deal

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is idiotic.


Here's what else they want to do:

Pass a law against single family zoning. (They don't like suburbs.)
Get rid of Right to Work laws.
Pass Green New Deal

Hey! That's what you voted for....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is idiotic.


Here's what else they want to do:

Pas law against single family zoning. (They don't like suburbs.)
Get rid of Right to Work laws.
Pass Green New Deal

Maybe they'll desegregate schools too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is idiotic.


Here's what else they want to do:

Pass a law against single family zoning. (They don't like suburbs.)
Get rid of Right to Work laws.
Pass Green New Deal

I think Northam supports Right to Work. But the Virginia Republicans really need to get their act together or the state government willl drift farther to the left than I would have guessed possible in Virginia. I have been surprised by some of the legislation that has passed and Northam has signed this year.

Virginia is still a fairly moderate state where Republicans can have influence. Even Virginia Democrats are not that liberal - Sanders and Warren were completely wiped out in Virginia - performing much weaker than other states. While Virginia is definitely a Blue State now (somehow we completely bypassed Purple), there really is not that much of a Left in Virginia.

The thing is the Virginia Republicans keep putting up candidates like this is Alabama. On the Democrat side, the liberal/left activists are the ones who are active in the party in northern Virginia and their candidates are increasingly well to the left of the typical northern Virginia Democrat. I doubt the typical voter is even aware how liberal some of the candidates are, they just identify as Democrats and vote for whoever the party puts up.

The 2019 Virginia election was a gift from Trump to Virginia Democrats. There were many voters ready to go to the polls and vote against all the Republicans. Many centrist voters who just stayed home. If Trump loses this year, the pendulum should swing back but the Virginia Republicans will only be able to fully take advantage if they get their heads straight. Neither the right wing true believer nor the downstate Confederate nostalgia is going to sell.