It might seem odd that a society that values safety so much would turn to slashing police officers when it comes to budget problems.
But that's what's been happening in Michigan.
The Detroit News reports that the state has lost has lost roughly 1 in 5 law enforcement officers since 2001. Some cities have slashed the number of officers or even eliminated departments and turned the job over to county sheriffs.
"Since 01 it's been a steady decline with cutbacks, layoffs or attrition," Fred Timpner, executive director of the Michigan Association of Police, which represents law enforcement officers, told the Detroit News. "Even the largest suburbs have laid off officers."
Since 2001, the state's law enforcement ranks dropped to 18,834 as of Oct. 31 from 22,488 in 2001, the News reports.
The News reports that Benton Harbor, in western Michigan, is considering eliminating it's department and letting the Berrien County Sheriff's Department take over, a move that isn't sitting well with everyone.
Even as the state's economic outlook brightens, the cuts are still coming, stirring controversy among residents who fear that shrinking or shutting the local police force means giving criminals free reign.
Those concerns were on display earlier this month here in Benton Harbor, which is considering closing its Police Department to help pay off $5 million in debt.
"You need a local police department with people from the community who are familiar with the culture and the families," resident Emma Kinard, 59, told city officials. "Not strangers."
