Militarizing US Cities: Does It Actually Cut Crime—or Just Cut Corners?

In this quick hit, Rev. Renaldo C. McKenzie asks the hot question: does sending in the National Guard make cities safer—or merely look tough on TV? From Chicago to D.C., we weigh the constitutional limits on federal troop deployments, the real costs of “boots on blocks,” and the deeper drivers of violence—relative deprivation, inequality, and shrinking opportunity. If crime is born of scarcity and status gaps, can soldiers solve what schools, jobs, and housing leave undone? Short, sharp, and straight to the point—policy over posturing. Walk good. Pull-Quotes “You can’t police poverty out of a paycheck.” “Boots on the block aren’t a business plan.” “If inequality is the fuel, a convoy won’t be the water.” Chapter Markers 00:00 Cold open & question 01:00 Authority: who can deploy troops? 03:00 Costs, optics, and the deterrence half-life 05:00 Relative deprivation & inequality 07:00 Smarter spend: jobs, housing, youth, health 09:00 Closing: safety as opportunity, not occupation Listen on any stream. Visit us https://theneoliberal.com and https://renaldocmckenzie.com Renaldo McKenzie is the Creator and Host of The Neoliberal Round Podcast and YouTube Channel https://anchor.fm/theneoliberal https://youtube.com/@renaldomckenzie Donate to us: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=USSJLFU2HRVAQ