I’m not saying security isn’t necessary, especially when there are real threats like physical assaults, but I also believe violence and force are the lowest forms of communication. Too often we ask, “How do we stop the crackheads, shoplifters, alcoholics?” when the better question is, “What systems allowed or even encouraged this behavior?” Other people aren’t the enemy. The real fight is against the systems of injustice that shape their lives and ours.
Discussion
Idk if you've heard his podcast - sounds like you haven't - but Peter has conversations about the system all the time. He asks those kinds of questions and I've never heard him describe drug addicts as "the enemy." He is not responsible for national policy or global trends and the systems at play are far outside of his control.
At the local level the actions he describes might actually help.
Pete’s a good dude. I’ve been listening to him since the early WBD days. The new pod’s decent. I don’t question his intentions, and I think it’s fair to say he’s not calling anyone “the enemy.” He’s clearly doing a lot of good for his town. My only critique is the private security part. The only kind of security I can really get behind is when the community has buy in and skin in the game. When it’s just one person funding it, it starts to feel like a benevolent dictator situation.