I've begun a new blog to chronicle my home construction.

"A cop stationed at a busy intersection, EVEN ASLEEP IN HIS CAR will do more to keep the public safe than a cop looking for teens with an 1/8 oz. of weed."

I saw that on Fark. I thought it might bare repeating. I've never heard it put in quite those terms before.

Many people refrain from committing crimes just because they're afraid someone might secretly be watching. Someone mentioned the other day that when they go up into the Gorge they leave their car windows down because if they roll them and lock the doors they just figure to get the windows busted out, but to a thief an open window looks like a trap. That does, however, operate in contradiction to what my father once told me about locks. Locks exist to keep honest people from behaving dishonestly. In any case, I think that the police presence in an area is often enough by itself to stop, or at least decrease, the crime committed in that area. Many areas have committed to a method of police work called community policing. And if the people aren't worried that their stash will attract the attention of the local police, they might help make the whole concept of community policing* much more effective.

* Community policing focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships. The community policing model balances reactive responses to calls for service with proactive problem-solving centered on the causes of crime and disorder. Community policing requires police and citizens to join together as partners in the course of both identifying and effectively addressing these issues.