Officers, Other Responders Pay High Price for Shortages

I don't think some people out there really understand the damage done by the "defund the police" campaign.

I'm sure there are a few of you out there cheering this on and going, "Yeah, we made them pay!" But at what cost?

Thousands of officers have left their post, either by retiring early or even leaving without their pension for the sake of their mental health. In addition, the result of their departure has now forced cities to bring in other people to help defend their streets from unstoppable crime increase.

And now, as a result of this awful campaign, first responders are paying just as much of a price as our beloved police officers.

A new report from Fox News reveals a dangerous situation that a paramedic got into back in the midst of what was happening with COVID. On a recent appearance of "Fox & Friends," first responder Myisha Richards explained how she ended up being brutally assaulted.

"I responded to a medical call back in July of 2020, and me and my partner wound up getting jumped while trying to render care," she explained.

"So ... because we're trying to be safe, my partner and I stepped out, and they jumped down the stairs and started ... assaulting me and beating me up."

She also showed a picture of her face being bloodied and bruised from the attack.

Surprisingly enough, this attack didn't deter Richards from continuing her push to help others. But she did explain how she was dealing with it.

"I go see a therapist," she said. "I actually went to the Center of Excellence at the beginning of the year, which is for firefighters to get help for mental health.

"I'm trying to work my way back into ... working in the streets and things of that nature."

Just put yourself in Richards' shoes for a minute. You're a first responder called upon to help someone in the most dangerous of circumstances revolving around COVID. And instead of being able to administer that health, you're beaten senseless just because of your role.

But Richards isn't the only one affected by the negative perception that "defund the police" has left behind. A 2022 American Ambulance Association industry study reveals that 36% of  EMTs have stepped down from their roles in 2021 alone. As a result, a shortage of emergency officials has followed, and still has some effect today, even after COVID has significantly decreased. 

International Association of Fire Fighters President Ed Kelly, in a recent statement, indicated that this "underreported" story needs to be shared more.

"Every day, paramedics, EMTs, firefighters are threatened, verbally abused, and quite frankly, physically abused. And one of the greatest threats that we face right now is being attacked by some of our heavily addicted, mentally ill people in this country."

It's just so out of hand. And why? Because people believed police were the problem? I've said it before and will say it until I'm out of breath — the police are not the problem.

They are there to protect you and keep you safe when dangerous situations arise. They are not the cause of the problem.

And for that matter, first responders are not to blame either. They're putting their lives on the line as well, responding to a scene that they know very little about to administer whatever help they can. And how are they rewarded? With hatred or, worse, violence.

It just goes to show that President Joe Biden and his administration need to approve that police funding now more than ever. We need more first responders and officers on the street.

We need to provide them with the gear, protection and mental health support they require to get their job done. And they need it now. Not a promised six months from now. Not three years from now. Now.

Because if they don't get it, we'll see more people like Richards get horribly abused and, potentially, leave their job as a result. Then who will be around to help when we truly need it?

Michael Letts is the Founder and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots nonprofit organization helping to re-fund police by contributing thousands of bulletproof vests for police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience. Read More Michael Letts reports — Here.