Community Policing: Why Structure Matters More Than Slogans
Community policing changes daily policing only when departments change how officers are assigned, supervised, and evaluated. When staffing, incentives, and authority stay the same, the model becomes standard patrol under a new name.
Local Budgets: The Real Map Behind Your City’s Money
Local budgets are binding control documents that enforce a hierarchy of spending. In California, fixed costs and voter-restricted revenues are paid first, while flexible services absorb cuts when money runs short. This structure explains why some services erode over time while legally protected obligations remain stable.