Book Notes: The End of Policing

This book is structured in 10 chapters, each of them focusing on one aspect of policing (the mentally ill, the homeless, the drug war, immigration, etc). In each chapter, Vitale reviews the data that shows how each area of policing isn’t working, and how attempts at reform have not made a difference.

I wished for clearer alternatives to policing, or at least suggestions of how to start looking for those alternatives. This book doesn’t offer much about the way forward.

This is an enraging, heartbreaking read, full of strong evidence that shows that US policing is not working for us and is beyond reform. The data might come in handy to support discussions with those who are not yet convinced that we must abolish policing. This book is probably not a very useful read if you are already convinced.