There are different ways to rein in cops when they're out of hand: You can demilitarize law enforcement, repeal intrusive laws that create unnecessary conflicts, and focus police on the core responsibilities of protecting life, liberty, and property; or you can treat crime as a lark, discourage self-defense, and create an environment of chaos and danger. Most reformers hoped they were getting the first option, but too many Americans see themselves living in the midst of an Escape from New York remake. The result is likely a call for unleashing police that bypasses real reform and starts the cycle over again.
