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You make a number of good points. In an ideal world we could do as they used to do in England with the 'Bobbies'... just have an officer or constable carrying a bonking stick. Modern circumstances have changed all that; even in England they have to have armed officers ready at a moment's notice [witness the killing of that soldier by Muslim extremists recently.]

The evolution of urban police into a paramilitary force is disturbing. To watch the Boston cops shut down a whole city is not only alarming, it portends more martial law episodes at the drop of a hat. A few years ago we had a standoff near our house here in west Orlando and the police shut off the whole boulevard for a whole day - a major traffic feeder to the interstate and the I-Drive - Disney attractions. I am not necessarily opposed, but it gives one pause.

Our local sheriff has APC's, fully automatic weapons, helicopters, drones, etc. Our traffic is like the wild west because they have no time or money for traffic enforcement; red light-running is rampant, and people do not even slow down for stopped school buses or school zones. The police priorities have moved on elsewhere.

Around here we discussed a scandalous murder from the 70's for twenty years; now we cannot even remember who killed who a week ago. The police are faced with a growing challenge and threat... yet we cannot set aside our Constitution and our comfort for the convenience of law enforcement. Perhaps active civilian review boards are essential, with subpoena power and power for criminal referrals.

Perilous times... Hi, gonzo!!!