Opinion
The Independence Day Holiday was made possible by audacious American citizens with privately-owned “weapons of war!”
It’s been less than 300 years.
Have we forgotten so soon?
For the smugly naive, who keep saying, “In an emergency, just call 911,” a recent interview with LAPD’s current Chief may come as a jolt!
LAPD’s current “average response time” to life-threatening emergencies is seven minutes (or so it is claimed), from when a unit(s) is dispatched to when it/they arrive at the scene.
Since maiming and murdering associated with violent crimes is usually completed within seconds (before any 911 call is even made), I fear most forget that “relatively fast police response to emergencies” does not necessarily equate to “preventing harm to the innocent.”
Most of us believe that it is far better not to be harmed by violent criminals/terrorists in the first place rather than to be hopefully confident that police will arrive at some point, maybe arrest perpetrators, maybe write up fabulous reports- all long after permanent harm has been done to the innocent!
The Chief admitted that critical staff shortages within his department (and nearly all others) breeds serious compromises- in hiring, training, physical standards, emotional-fitness standards, personal-integrity standards
The “published timeline” maybe seven minutes, but the “real timeline” is much longer.
- Someone has to see and recognize that a violent crime is occurring, and that person has to be willing, able, and inclined to call 911.
- That call has to get through to a 911 operator, which may take some time during busy periods.
- The 911 operator must gather information and dispatch patrol unit(s), assuming any are available.
That’s when the “seven-minute response time” officially starts!
When officer(s) arrive at the scene, they need time to evaluate the situation, talk with those present, process information, and call in an initial report—all before taking action, which may involve the use of force.
In view of the foregoing, being “rescued in the nick of time” by police appears pretty unlikely.
When criminal violence comes your way, you’ll likely be the only “first responder” who has any chance of keeping you from harm!
Ignore or dismiss that acid fact at your peril!
/John
About John Farnam & Defense Training International, Inc
As a defensive weapons and tactics instructor, John Farnam will urge you, based on your beliefs, to make up your mind about what you would do when faced with an imminent lethal threat. You should, of course, also decide what preparations you should make in advance if any. Defense Training International wants to ensure that its students fully understand the physical, legal, psychological, and societal consequences of their actions or in-actions.
It is our duty to make you aware of certain unpleasant physical realities intrinsic to Planet Earth. Mr. Farnam is happy to be your counselor and advisor. Visit: www.defense-training.com
So awesome. Everything about the response written fell in proper order. I am especially glad that you mentioned that once the forces are gathered, they will access the situation, report and then make a decision. All I can think about is the last part of the situation and Uvalde. We celebrated Independence day yesterday, not dependence day. Our fore fathers learned many years ago that we need to be our own first responder/defenders. Why we are still having to teach others of what should already be known is beyond me other than that some have refused to acknowledge the truth… Read more »
Its only going to get worse… what Biden did to America by unleashing illegals into this Country will forever change it for the worse… we already are seeing that. Raging homelessness, illegal drugs, criminal gangs looting stores, rapes and murders. … by illegals.
They want to take away your guns and rights… I’d focus on taking away pens and pencils… they clearly misspell words. At least your computer has autocorrect.
I have always held the position that you as the potential victim are the first responder in any assault. First, it would take the police minutes at the least to arrive on scene. Secondly most if not all police organizations have the “no duty to protect” clause in their SOP’s. I personally have been subjected to that clause. And third point I would assert is that since police are actually the second responders, shouldn’t you as the first responder be armed at the least as well or better than the second responders who are the police? Of course you should.… Read more »
May I also remind the readers that repeated Court decisions over many years have declared very clearly that the police are under no obligation to come to the aid of any given individual. Rather, their function is to protect “the public,” meaning society in general – NOT any specific individual. In other words, when the SHTF, you are on your own.
Good article. The simple fact is, we are our own first responder. It’s a rare day when the cops just happen to be on site when things go sideways. The actual duration of a violent crime would be measured in seconds not minuets or hours. Most of the time, when 911 is called, the cops arrive for clean up detail, not to prosecute a crime. When seconds mean the difference between life and death the cops are only minuets away. I have had to call the cops twice for help with bad situations. BOTH times the situation was over with… Read more »
YOU are your own first responder. When do we get first responder discounts??? LEOs are the mop up detail,,,,
Good article. I think the response times are higly dependent on shift, density of people per square mile, total staffing of local police, the perceptions of the 911 caller, weather, road congestion AND! ongoing construction, clarity of 911 calls,and the training / culture of responding forces. In a nutshell… if lethal force is deployed the decision maker is YOU.
“The “published timeline” maybe seven minutes, but the “real timeline” is much longer. Someone has to see and recognize that a violent crime is occurring, and that person has to be willing, able, and inclined to call 911. That call has to get through to a 911 operator, which may take some time during busy periods. The 911 operator must gather information and dispatch patrol unit(s), assuming any are available. That’s when the “seven-minute response time” officially starts!” As a cop, I was painfully aware of how much truth there is in the above! In the late, late, 1990’s or… Read more »
My post must have been too lengthy. Sent to AmmoLand comment jail.
Modern American polices forces were never designed to reinforce the 2A. But to replace it.