Do not defund the police. Add more social and community based programs so that the police can police and mental health and other professionals can deal with the non-criminal situations

I completely understand your concern. However, it's essential to remember that 'defunding the police' doesn't mean eliminating the police entirely. It's about reallocating some funds to address root causes of crime such as mental health, poverty, and lack of education. Take, for example, the CAHOOTS program in Eugene, Oregon; they redirect some 911 calls to mental health professionals instead of armed officers, which resulted in significant savings and fewer violent encounters.

What if, instead of asking police officers to be social workers, teachers, and drug counselors, we funded professionals in these areas adequately so they can manage these issues effectively? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.