There’s “no consistent association” between police funding and crime rates across the country, according to a published study by University of Toronto researchers.

  • SkepticalButOpenMinded@lemmy.ca
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    5 months ago

    Canada spends a LOT less on policing than the US and has MUCH less crime. Crime severity is basically half in Canada, and per capita police spending is half. For example, the safest major city in North America is Toronto.

    Not coincidentally, Canada also has better social services like public healthcare, more equitable access to schooling, and higher social mobility. This is the argument for defunding the police. We need police, but other things have a much bigger effect on safety.