(Cross posted at The Line is Here)

Reading the local dead tree paper this morning (someone leaves a copy in the men's room every day, I don't actually buy one), there was a letter to the editor bemoaning the fact that because of the high gas prices, the police department is having to cut down on the amount of driving the officers do.

Imagine that.

What really burns my Bundt cake was the writer's whining that he and his neighbors are having to set up a neighborhood watch and *gasp* protect themselves!! He cried that the politicians had "left them to fend for themselves" as if somehow, that was a bad thing (couldn't find the letter online, or I'd post it here, and the paper in the can is 'community property').

Look, I want cops to patrol the streets when they can. In fact, I'd like to see them actually patrol on foot as that gives them more times to evaluate the situation than driving by at 30 MPH. But they can't be everywhere at all times and the fact is they only are paid to do a job that we, as free citizens, are morally required to do at all times.

We leave it up to the police to actively seek out trouble. However, when trouble finds us, the only ones who have any sort of responsibility for our protection is ourselves. This is part of being a free citizen. Liberty is not inherently safe - for that you'll need a police state, and then the dangers come not just from criminals but those you submit to as well.

I like the idea of a neighborhood watch. I happen to know my immediate neighbors are all armed, so we kind of have one built in, but there's nothing wrong with being relied upon by someone who might not be as able to defend themselves. And your neighbors are generally closer than the cops anyway.