Do you feel the National Guard can help in areas with high crime?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 06:55:54 -0500

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 6:56 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 06:56:43 -0500

Do you all feel that the NG can help in cities with high crime rates or is that the job of the PD?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 7:55 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 07:55:40 -0500

The NG would provide a temporary measure of public safety. It would be a short term fix. Due to the racial and socioeconomic issues in Chicago, this would be a PR nightmare for the Guard (and Army in general) and would show a heavy handed measure by the state government that may only raise tensions.
The appropriations spent on such a deployment would be better used to help fund a long term solution. Chicago needs changes in its political culture, dependence on government assistance, family life and economic policies. Chicago is a great city and deserves more than a short term solution of soldiers patrolling its streets. The deployment of troops should be reserved for situations where civil government has either completely failed (broken down/dissolved) or a man-made/natural disaster has expanded beyond the capability of the local/state government to respond.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 8:16 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 08:16:30 -0500

It already happens. It is pretty common in Puerto Rico and in New York. They are more of maintaining peace than enforcement. If the police don't have control it would make sense to use the National Guard.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 8:45 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 08:45:04 -0500

As Guardsmen, part of our duties is to augment local and state government. Some of us are tasked with NGRF, National Guard Reactionary Forces to augment local law enforcement for civil disturbance. We are deputized by law enforcement. First level of any police department is officer presence. We assist with presence patrols. High crime areas are usually high crime areas, due to lack of police manpower. If you have a large number of troops to pool, your force multiplies. It offers extra eyes and ears to law enforcement. I've worked for the inauguration in 2012, and we've done health and welfare checks during disasters. If we can be used to direct traffic, so a department has the manpower to respond to crimes of a more serious nature, I'd definitely say that is beneficial.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 09:33:38 -0500

There is no shortage of cops in Chicago. Crime is persistent because the culture and family systems in the area have broken down to the point that success is the exception, and not the rule.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Feb 18 at 2016 11:50 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:50:27 -0500

It is not part of the National Guard to do that unless specifically called upon by give rue and mobilized to do such.

Response by SFC Jim Mergott made Feb 18 at 2016 12:34 PM

SFC Jim Mergott — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:34:02 -0500

I think if they were trained as police yes( like a military police unit) having said this , NOT a good idea to use troops to enforce law.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 2:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:10:10 -0500

No. The U.S. military is restricted by laws prohibiting them from performing policing operations. The only way these laws can be lifted is during declared states of emergency, such as the Baltimore riots, and Hurricane Katrina/Rita

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Feb 18 at 2016 2:33 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:33:13 -0500

Places with crimes and shortage on law enforcement, NG would be providing support.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 4:37 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 16:37:54 -0500

I guess the politically correct answer is yes, but for a short period of time only when specifically requested by the state's Governor. Otherwise you get into violating the "Posse Comitatus Act".
There was a situation where the Provost Marshall of FT Rucker sent Soldiers (though Active Duty) to help support the local police department after murder spree in Samson, AL. His actions though well-intended got him fired, because they violated the Posse Comitatus Act.
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/army-investigating-how-and-why-troops-were-sent-alabama-town-after-murder-spree

Of related note, see, Defense Support Civil Authorities (DSCA).

Army Investigating How and Why Troops Were Sent Into Alabama Town After Murder Spree

U.S. Army soldiers from Ft. Rucker patrol the downtown area of Samson, Alabama after a shooting spree March 10, 2009. (Photo: Reuters/Mark Wallheiser. Used by permission. )

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 9:48 PM

LTJG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:48:34 -0500

I would like to submit this, one line from the TV show Battlestar Galactica. Admiral Adama talking to the President of the Colonies about a police state.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwrSlzZC31w

Commander Adama on police state

Season 1 episode 2, at 28th minute mark.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2016 1:41 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 13:41:57 -0500

Sure if you love facism, nationalism and communism. Other wise it's completely unconstitutional and unbelievable that the executive branch would enact such a radical idea to move towards a tolarasim style of law enforcement. The people have to combat the crime not the army

Response by SSG Byron Hewett made Feb 20 at 2016 11:15 AM

SSG Byron Hewett — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 11:15:56 -0500

when you involve military troops to assist law enforcement weather it is in high crime areas or not you are opening a door for martial law to be instituted. Military troops active duty or national guard have a roll in what their mission is, the National Guards mission is two fold they are at the Governors beck and call for state emergencies such as snow removal to keep state owned buildings roof from collapsing from the weight of the snow and fire fighting and other state declared emergencies the second mission is that of call of the President on the Nations behalf such as the global war on terrorism and other issues around the world that affect the interests of National security.
This only a short list of things but you don't want troops put in a position of where they are put in a position to have to enforce martial law.

Response by MSgt Kurt Woodward made Feb 20 at 2016 2:28 PM

MSgt Kurt Woodward — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 14:28:37 -0500

It wouldn't be the first time in our history that a Governor mobilized the National Guard to assist Law Enforcement Officers during a heightened time. Just look back at the race riots that have occurred since the 60's and on.