12 Things to do Instead of Calling the Cops
theanarchistlibrary.org
May Day Collective, Solidarity & Defense 12 Things to do Instead of Calling the Cops If you see something, do something! 28th July 2017

Nice little zine with some cool advice. Nothing revolutionary but still useful for people who aren't leftists. Good pamphlet to present to libs but be prepared for questions.

Calling the police often escalates situations, puts people at risk, and leads to violence. Anytime you seek help from the police, you’re inviting them into your community and putting people who may already be vulnerable into dangerous situations.

Pretty simple and understandable for anyone who cares about people. You would only need to point to the police brutality during the BLM protests in the summer.

Sometimes people feel that calling the police is the only way to deal with problems. But we can build trusted networks of mutual aid that allow us to better handle conflicts ourselves and move toward forms of transformative justice, while keeping police away from our neighborhoods.

Building trusted networks of mutual aid is gonna take time though. This doesn't provide an alternative to calling cops when you're faced with a genuine situation in which calling the police is the only way. TBF, I've never been in such a situation. Yet I see cops so many times just loitering around looking for trouble. Cops should need a license and get a permit before they're allowed in a neighborhood.

  1. Don’t feel obligated to defend property—especially corporate “private” property. Before confronting someone or contacting the police, ask yourself if anyone is being hurt or endangered by property “theft” or damage. If the answer is “no,” then let it be.

Non-leftists will definitely say "corporations are being hurt!". Maybe try convincing them that the big corps are tax-evading scum who profit off of child slavery. Could work. And you definitely shouldn't confront someone who's redistributing some commodities. They most likely won't take well to someone else acting on behalf of the state.

  1. If something of yours is stolen and you need to file a report for insurance or other purposes, consider going to the police station instead of bringing cops into your community. You may inadvertently be putting someone in your neighborhood at risk.

Kinda linked to the introduction. Really got to hammer in the point that bringing cops into your community is worse than just going to the police station yourself. I hadn't considered this point either. And maybe they'll come around to "investigate" anyways but still a good thing to keep in mind. Getting your personal property stolen sucks.

  1. If you observe someone exhibiting behavior that seems “odd” to you, don’t assume that they are publicly intoxicated. A traumatic brain injury or a similar medical episode may be occurring. Ask if they are OK, if they have a medical condition, and if they need assistance.

In the end, you may need to end up calling 911 in such a situation. But the important point is to try alternatives first. And don't endanger yourself.

  1. If you see someone pulled over with car trouble, stop and ask if they need help or if you can call a tow truck for them. If the police are introduced to such a situation, they may give punitive and unnecessary tickets to people with car issues, target those without papers, or worse.

Again, good point. Be wary of scams though and make sure to keep yourself safe.

  1. Keep a contact list of community resources like suicide hotlines. When police are contacted to “manage” such situations, people with mental illness are sixteen times more likely to be killed by cops than those without mental health challenges.

Yeah, I think this point needs to be merged with the 3rd and 4th ones. These alternative community resources are what we need to replace police with.

  1. Check your impulse to call the police on someone you believe looks or is acting “suspicious.” Is their race, gender, ethnicity, class, or housing situation influencing your choice? Such calls can be death sentences for many people.

"Acting suspicious" shouldn't be a crime. Either wait for them to commit a crime (and a real crime, too, not some corporate property redistribution) or move on. Real community service (the ostensible impulse behind calling cops in such a situation) would be not calling the popo.

  1. Encourage teachers, coworkers, and organizers to avoid inviting police into classrooms, workplaces, and public spaces. Instead, create for a culture of taking care of each other and not unwittingly putting people in harm’s way. If you’re part of a group that’s holding a rally or demonstration, don’t get a permit or otherwise cooperate with the police.

Unfortunately, teachers and coworkers aren't the people who invite the police into their classrooms or workplaces. But you can definitely raise awareness amongst them and get them on the anti-cop train. And any "organizer" who invites the police is not one you should be associated with.

  1. If your neighbor is having a party and the noise is bothering you, go over and talk to them. Getting to know your neighbors with community events like monthly block parties is a good way to make asking them to quiet down a little less uncomfortable, or to find another neighbor who is willing to do so.

Yeah, some neighbors are just assholes though. But yes to community building.

  1. If you see someone peeing in public, just look away! Remember, for example, that many houseless people do not have reliable access to bathrooms.

The solution is building free public washrooms (and then maintaining them!) not calling the police. Though, the actual solution is just building homes and giving them to people who need them. For free.

  1. Hold and attend deescalation, conflict resolution, first-aid, volunteer medic, and self-defense workshops in your neighborhood, school, workplace, or community organization.

This is pretty useful. The key to abolishing the police is to abolish the need for the utility they say they provide i.e., keeping people safe. Build communities that are self-sufficient.

  1. Street art is beautiful! Don’t report graffiti and other street artists. If you see work that includes fascistic or hate speech, paint over it yourself or with friends.

Fuck yeah. I hate that so much architecture is just fucking drab, grey concrete. It's our streets, our buildings, our cities. Make them colorful.

  1. Remember that police can escalate domestic violence situations. You can support friends and neighbors who are being victimized by abusers by offering them a place to stay, a ride to a safe location, or to watch their children. Utilize community resources like safe houses and hotlines.

If domestic abuse is happening to a stranger in your neighborhood, then if you know people who they trust you can call them instead. But otherwise, you'd need to call the cops in the immediate situation. The solution, again, is to build a community.