Brooklyn Police Department Is Offering $500 Cash To Any Citizen Who Helps A Cop Take Down A Suspect

Source - A police union wants to turn random bystanders into vigilantes-for-hire — by offering $500 to any civilian who helps cops wrestle down suspects who are resisting arrest.

The cash proposal from the Sergeants Benevolent Association is aimed at getting those who normally would make videos of cops taking people into custody to put down their phones and actually get involved.

“When you see an officer struggling, rather than take your cellphone out, assist the officer and you’ll receive an award of $500,” SBA president Ed Mullins told The Post.

State Sen. Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn), a retired cop, will introduce a new good Samaritan law to shield civilians from liability if they help cops. The bill is still being drafted, his office said.

The union will pay for rewards, but its officials hope pro-cop groups and private individuals will pitch in. They didn’t give many details about what would constitute enough help to warrant a reward, although the union noted that grabbing and holding a suspect whom the cops are chasing would qualify.

Want to stop crime? Simple– pay people to do it. I don’t know why this kind of neighborhood policing wasn’t instituted years ago. Especially in the shitty, rundown neighborhoods where crime is rampant. Imagine how much easier this is going to make police officers’ jobs? Instead of having to look over their shoulder every time they make an arrest, citizens will be actively assisting them in the process. At least that’s how it’s supposed to work. I’m sure it’ll take time to iron out the kinks. For example, should certain crimes be worth more than others? If I come across a police officer and he’s struggling, I should get paid more than if he has the situation under control. Same goes for victimless crimes. You can’t have people tackling hookers on the street just because they want a shot at $500. And how do you get paid? Is it cash? Because if you have to fill out paper work no one is doing it. I can see situations where people start bargaining mid-crime with the officer too, “He’s going for your gun bro, make it a thousand and I’ll step in!”

The more I think about it, the more I feel like this might become a shit show. People snitching, corruption, citizen’s arrests. Everyone’s going to want to get some money. Personally, I’d love an opportunity to subdue a suspect, it’d make for a great blog, but it’s going to take more than writing material for other people to get involved and they should know the details before they do. At least this is a step in the right direction.

PS: Unrelated, but if you’re interested in learning about police corruption watch The Seven Five. It’s SO good.