Military troops on civilian streets are the latest manifestation of the rapidly escalating crisis in law enforcement in America. In Washington, D.C., nearly 800 National Guard troops have been sent to our nation’s capital to help get skyrocketing crime under control. In New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham deployed Guard personnel to Albuquerque to handle non-enforcement duties so police could focus on responding to incoming calls for help. And in New York City, Guard members now patrol subways to deter crime.
On the surface, these moves appear decisive—swift responses to violence and disorder. In the short term, they may even restore a level of stability. But this is not a sustainable, long-term solution. Rather, it is a symptom of a much larger and more dangerous problem: our communities are suffering from the lasting effects of a crisis plaquing law enforcement nationwide.
Over the last five years, police departments have been hollowed out, budgets cut, morale crushed, and experienced officers driven into early retirement or other careers. Recruitment has slowed to a trickle. The result is undeniable. Police response times in many areas have risen dramatically. Typically, it takes officers five to 10 minutes to respond to an emergency. However, in the last several years alone, law enforcement response times have doubled. That statistic is especially alarming, considering that the average violent attack is over within less than 10 seconds.
Although not solely responsible for this crisis, the “Defund the Police” movement certainly exacerbated this problem and dramatically altered the landscape of public safety for generations to come.
Consider the Chicago mother who dialed 911 as two masked men tried to break into her home. She waited over four hours before officers arrived. Seattle has documented rising response times since 2020. Minneapolis shows similar delays. National 911 groups warn of staffing crises across emergency communications centers. For all of us, those statistics mean one thing: help may not be there when it’s needed most. For someone facing a home invasion, a carjacking, or a violent assault, that lapse in time can be devastating.
This leaves citizens with a sobering reality. You can no longer afford to “outsource” your personal safety or rely on law enforcement to be there in a moment of crisis. Even in well-resourced areas, there will always be at least some amount of time, likely much longer than you think, before help can arrive. The reality of dramatically slower police response times means that you are now your own first responder, whether you want to be or not.
This isn’t about losing faith in our police. Citizens must become active stakeholders in their own safety and security, becoming the first line of defense for themselves and their families until professional help arrives. That means making a plan, fortifying your home, understanding and practicing situational awareness, and investing in training—from medical skills to lawful self-defense.
While troops on the streets may be a temporary solution to address the larger issue of crime in America today and deter criminals from committing crimes, we cannot afford to continue to go down this path. A long-term solution includes addressing the root causes of the problem, including rebuilding local policing, restoring staffing, resources, and trust. Until then, Americans should not simply wait and hope help arrives in time. The lesson is clear: your safety begins with you. The sooner each of us accepts that reality and prepares, the stronger and safer our communities will be.