Peirspictiochtai Ar An Saol
Zero-Based Law Enforcement
Part Six
Zero-Based Law Enforcement incorporates several philosophical aspects. One of those aspects is proactivity. In other words, instead of waiting for criminal activity to occur, Zero-Based Law Enforcement strives to minimize the likelihood of criminal activity before it happens.
Consider how fire fighting has evolved in many communities throughout the United States.
Fire fighting services used to focus on fighting fires.
Obvious? Of course.
But fire fighting services have evolved into proactive efforts to minimize the likelihood that fires will need to be fought in the future.
Fire fighters may spend their time more frequently now going out to inspect structures. They may be testing smoke detectors to verify that they are working properly. They may be testing carbon monoxide detectors to determine if they are working as designed. They may recommend different places to add or move smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.
They may test fire extinguishers to be certain that they are working properly. They may test sprinkler systems to make sure that access to water and water pressure are adequate for the systems to work properly.
Fire fighters may provide smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers to individuals who need those items, but are not able to afford or install these pieces of equipment or have not prioritized buying and installing those devices.
They may provide training to local folks on when the use of a fire blanket to put out a small, contained fire is possible as well as when putting water on certain types of fires would actually be detrimental and cause a fire to spread.
They may conduct – unannounced – fire drills. They may be reviewing entrances and exits, recommending improvements that would be helpful if an evacuation was needed to fight a fire in the future.
The fire fighters may create a database of chemicals and other agents used by commercial and industrial establishments. They may include specific ways to fight fires that include those types of chemicals.
They may inspect the exteriors of structures to determine if and how fires could be put out in the future. Fire fighters may recommend that specific areas around a house, for example, should be cleared of trees and other vegetation. Fire fighters may suggest that solar panels be installed on a roof in such ways as to allow access to the roof in case of a fire as well as suggest ways to make sure any large batteries used in the solar panel systems don’t themselves become sources of ignition.
Beyond steps taken by fire fighting services, other proactive steps to minimize the need to fight fires have been taken by others in communities throughout the country.
Building codes have been enhanced through the generations. For example, in some communities, heavier walls able to withstand many fires have been mandated, and sprinklers have been required for residential units. Battery-powered alarms combined with electric-powered alarms have been utilized in some structures. Lighting has been added to detention devices to let individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing know of the presence of fire and carbon monoxide danger.
These – and other steps – have been taken by a number of fire fighting services and communities so that much of the time and effort of fire fighters is actually spent on proactive steps to minimize the need to fight fires.
Zero-Based Law Enforcement incorporates the philosophy of proactivity.
The next news column in this series will focus on specific types of proactive steps that can be taken through Zero-Based Law Enforcement.
Peirspictiochtai Ar A Saol – Gaelic – Irish – for “Perspectives On Life” is a column focused on aspects of accountability and responsibility as well as ways people look at life.
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