Highlights
For the moment, crime during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) seems moderate. Law enforcement is inventing some unique responses.
The Coronavirus will push the justice system to its limits. There is no playbook for COVID-19.
Author
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.
Retired federal senior spokesperson. Thirty-five years of award-winning public relations for national and state criminal justice agencies. Interviewed multiple times by every national news outlet. Former Senior Specialist for Crime Prevention for the Department of Justice’s clearinghouse. Former Director of Information Services, National Crime Prevention Council. Former Adjunct Associate Professor of criminology and public affairs-University of Maryland, University College. Former advisor to presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. Former advisor to the “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime” national media campaign. Certificate of Advanced Study-Johns Hopkins University. Aspiring drummer.
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It’s Not The Coronavirus That’s Scary. It’s How Brainwashed & Easily Manipulated The Masses Of People Can Become!
Article
Every police administrator in the country is pondering an appropriate response to the Coronavirus. What’s below is an overview of crime and criminal justice responses.
For The Moment, Crime Isn’t Going Up
Reports from around the country (and the world) indicate that crime isn’t going up: Dallas, Portland OR, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco, Southern California, Bangor ME.
Fewer people on the streets could mean less crime and disorder, New York Post.
But There Is Concern
Police in New York and Los Angeles fear retail burglaries, TMZ.
There are still more people dying in Baltimore from gunshot wounds than the coronavirus pandemic, a trend that “social distancing” hasn’t slowed down very much. It’s gotten so bad that the mayor felt compelled to beg the gangs to stop shooting people so they can save hospital beds for the COVID-19 patients.
There are endless media reports of citizens buying guns and ammunition. People are uncertain as to what’s happening. Uncertainty breeds fear. Fear prompts overreaction.
There are concerns regarding increasing fraud and domestic violence.
There are concerns regarding attacks on Asian Americans, The Blaze.
Law Enforcement And Corrections Is Changing
Law enforcement is going to change. There will be fewer direct interactions with citizens. There will be fewer arrests. We will return to a policing strategy that preceded the Broken Windows-proactive arrests strategies.
For officer safety, we have to limit contact unless the activity or criminality is egregious, TheDailyBeast. Officers are going to have to approach events and offenders differently, NBCChicago.
Lack of protective gear is hampering law enforcement efforts. Hundreds of cops are testing positive in Detroit and New York.
Jails and possibly prisons are considering the release of lower-level offenders.
Per The Crime Report and the Washington Post, Justice Department scenarios to hold inmates longer than normal because of delayed court hearings amid the coronavirus epidemic are being considered. Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec said, “Courts are closing and grand juries are not meeting. That means prosecutors may not be able to indict criminals before a statute of limitations expires, or dangerous criminals who have been arrested may be released because of time limits. Criminals should not be able to avoid justice because of a public health emergency.”
Communication Strategies
Law enforcement must prepare for emergency responses, Emergency Management.
It’s understood that communication with the public is incredibly important. We understand that law enforcement cannot respond to the rapid increase in Coronavirus-related fraud and identity theft problems beyond alerting citizens to known efforts and ways people can protect themselves.
It’s the same with rising domestic violence. We’re not in a position to respond to every argument or to make arrests in every case, but we can bring the issue to the public’s attention and suggest ways for citizens to respond.
There are times during unparalleled stress when people need to know that they are not alone and partner acts of aggression are, unfortunately, to be expected and steps they can take to deescalate. But violence cannot be accepted and there will have to be a law enforcement response.
Increasing Violence Since 2015
Violent crime increased considerably since 2015 per the Bureau of Justice Statistics (USDOJ), Gallup and the Major Cities Chief Association. The FBI recorded small decreases in reported crime in 2018 and the first half of 2019, Violent Crime.
Before any of this happened, there were endless media reports of rising violence in cities throughout the country. There are cities with major crime problems, Most Dangerous Cities.
Officials in high crime cities are the most concerned regarding COVID-19 and disorder.
Brevard County’s Strategy
Brevard County Florida’s Sheriff Wayne Ivey may be one of the country’s leading law enforcement public relations experts. At heart, he’s a showman who is constantly in front of the cameras with a wide variety of outreach efforts. His office is unique as to self-created productions.
He is leading a series of parades through Brevard County (an ocean county including the Kennedy Space Center and one of the worlds leading cruise ship ports plus considerable tourism) including police and fire vehicles, bomb squads, airboats, motorcycle officers and K-9 demonstrations.
Citizens watch at a safe distance from their homes or vehicles.
It’s my opinion that this strategy borders on brilliance. It’s a show of force reminding citizens that during this time of uncertainty, first responders are there for their protection. It gives children and others something to do while reassuring all that law enforcement is ready and willing to respond. It’s a nuanced response; not overly aggressing yet reassuring.
Local Media Coverage (direct quotes)
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office announced a new program Monday for parents and children in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The First Responders Parade is set to launch Tuesday night, according to a news release promoting the idea of “coming together while staying apart.”
The parades will be held Tuesday-Friday nights from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. at four different locations.
“What we’re doing is something unique. I don’t know if anybody else has done this but we’re going to,” Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a press conference.
Ivey said families will be able to go to drive-thru the locations and see massive fire trucks, makeshift crime scenes, and K-9s. The displays will be in partnership with other law enforcement agencies like Brevard County Fire Rescue and local police departments with parade concluding with bags of candy, handed to families in their cars by a bomb squad robot.
“Parents, put children in the car and drive them through,” Ivey said. “Take advantage of getting kids out of the house for a little bit, let them see all of the great stuff and all the great members of our agency,” he said, Channel 6 Orlando.
Conclusions
Law enforcement’s response to the uncertainty of the Coronavirus epidemic and the fear most Americans have during times of unparalleled stress will be a challenge for every police and correctional administrator.
Police executives and officers have to make adjustments. Everyone understands that it can’t be business as usual. Communication strategies are key elements of the response.
But like Sheriff Wayne Ivey in Brevard County, it’s time to reassess what makes citizens feel reassured. There are times where subtlety and a measured response are in our collective best interest.
Previous Coronavirus-COVID-19 Articles
The Coronavirus, Law Enforcement, Corrections And Crime
Corona Virus and Emergency Response
Violent Crime Beats Coronavirus As The Number One Issue
See More
See more articles on crime and justice at Crime in America.
Most Dangerous Cities/States/Countries at Most Dangerous Cities.
US Crime Rates at Nationwide Crime Rates.
National Offender Recidivism Rates at Offender Recidivism.
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Contact
Contact us at leonardsipes@gmail.com.
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