Angry protestors want to turn public sentiment against the police, but their ugly tactics remind all sane observers how much we need the cops. Rioting, looting, arson, Molotov cocktails, graffiti and vandalism demonstrate how vulnerable all citizens would be without the courage of police officers who put their lives on the line every day. Sure, you can find examples of bad or poorly trained cops, but they’re far more rare in police ranks than are violent, criminal elements in the ranks of the demonstrators.

In a difficult moment, time when Americans can’t decide whether to emphasize economic recovery or continued precautions against COVID-19, the nationwide rioting harms both hopes. Literally thousands of already struggling businesses have been badly damaged, while assembling “super-spreader”, densely packed crowds will only generate new spikes in the spread of the virus.

No wonder most Americans love and value our police officers – without whom decent lives, and livable cities, could not exist.