Policing Sensibly... (Wrecking Effectively)

To have anything like a frank and open discussion about the wrecking of illegally parked vehicles one has to accept that the only reason the wreckers are upsetting the motoring public and business community alike is because it is working. We all know that no one in this banana republic really wants the laws enforced (especially the ones that cost them time, money or inconvenience), but seriously, how does one justify coming down on the wrong side of this issue? We move in a sort of entitlement bubble, where heaven forbid we should have to pay to park or park sensibly and walk a few blocks to get where we're going, not when it's easier to do as we damned well please, not so? And who knew that adding financial incentives and an almost 'private enterprise model' spin on the problem of illegal parking it could put such a dent in it, so big a dent that the lawless would be raising hell? As an aside, I wonder what our society would be like if everyone just did as they wanted without regard for consequences and, wherever possible, strong armed the government to suppress enforcement of the law? Wait, don't answer that, Trinidad is already a case study in that regard. Perhaps instead of arguing about wrecking what we need is legislation requiring all businesses to provide staff and customer parking (if it does not already exist), surely that would help solve the parking problem and negate the need for wreckers, yes?

No, instead of 'wrecking' this initiative I suggest we expand it; scientifically analyze it with a view toward extrapolating whatever successes we can take from it and apply that model to other areas of law enforcement in the hopes of achieving similar immediate and measurable results, wouldn't that be a crime plan that made practical sense? Imagine 'incentivising' ALL law enforcement to some degree, where successful policing translated directly to significant increases in the officer's pay packet, with bonuses for all crimes especially serious ones, shouldn't that bring fast and tangible results in the war against crime? For example - intercepted and captured an illegal firearm? Two thousand dollars bonus. Successfully prosecuted the offender? Another two thousand dollars bonus. Wouldn't that have an impact on the gun control issue? Or imagine a world where officers receive a small bonus for solving the crime and an even bigger one if the criminal is successfully convicted; this would create an avalanche of effective prosecutions at all levels, with our biggest rewards and incentives being saved for the successful prosecution of other law enforcement officers and public officials for bribery and corruption, wouldn't this bring immediate and measurable change?

And this 'privatized' model does not have to be limited to the police service alone, but could and should be expanded to ALL enforcement arms including Customs & Excise and Town & Country Planning. Try these on for size –  Identified an illegally constructed building? Five thousand dollars bonus. Completed the paperwork that resulted in its demolition? Twenty five thousand dollars bonus plus a percentage of the fine levied on the offender. Intercepted a shipment of 'undeclared' goods? Twenty five percent of the fines levied and a fixed percentage of the auctioned value plus bonuses and promotions. There is no limit to where this can be applied and the only area of law enforcement I would not include are capital crimes and those that are non-bailable offenses for obvious reasons, but even at this level rewards and promotions should be based on the success model. Wouldn't this get us to a point where it is safer and more lucrative for law enforcement officers across the spectrum to do their jobs and still advance without risking a bribe?

To protect against instances of abuse and to prevent the officers from misusing their authority for wrongful financial gain we would would need to put stiffer penalties in place for wrongful prosecution, including retraction of bonuses plus significant fines for the first three offenses and suspension from active duty without pay for the fourth (offered as a suggestion), but we could quickly develop a working model that leads to a proactive, forward looking, professional approach to enforcement and get this place cleaned up right away. Wouldn't this be a sensible way forward?