You're a US police officer, what are you thinking about going back to the East for?

Hearing the female reporter's questions, which were full of humanistic concern, Mayor Reynolds, though still wearing a somber expression, actually felt a little relieved.

This is an easy question.

According to standard public relations procedures, at this point, all you need to do is follow the reporter's lead, adopt a posture of "we are also deeply reflecting on this," and then throw out a few empty promises about "strengthening investment in community education" or "juvenile correction programs," and the matter will be considered settled.

It shows humanity, avoids real responsibility, and can also lay the groundwork for next year's budget.

However, Lyon on stage did not play by the rules.

He didn't nod, nor did he show any feigned grief. He simply leaned on the podium, his head slightly bowed, as if he were still recalling the smoke and fire of that rainy night.

"Madam, this is a very broad sociological question."

"To be honest, I'm just a second-level patrol officer who patrols the streets every day."

"I don't understand those complex theories of social structure, about the unequal distribution of educational resources... those are issues for the mayor, or the gentlemen and ladies in the council, to think about."

Upon hearing this, Mayor Reynolds' eyelids twitched violently.

What's this kid trying to do? Shift the blame?

All I know is what happened that night.

"It rained heavily that night."

"We were attacked with guns while we were on patrol, and one officer was seriously injured and rendered incapacitated."

"As a police officer, I regret that I didn't have the time or opportunity to look at their files, nor did I have the energy to think about whether they lacked love in their childhood."

"All I saw was someone pulling the trigger, trying to kill me and my colleagues, and then smuggling drugs into the city."

Leon paused, then sighed softly:

"At that moment, I had to make a choice."

"Should we let the person who attacked us with a gun live, and let ordinary citizens sleeping soundly at home wake up the next morning to find their children addicted to drugs, or let my colleagues behind me live?"

"I chose the latter."

"If I hadn't fired, no one would even be standing here today discussing this regret. That's it."

"Whoosh—"

A commotion broke out in the audience, with reporters whispering among themselves.

Mayor Reynolds broke out in a cold sweat.

He stared intently at Lyon's retreating figure, a thousand curses running through his mind.

This kid... is he genuinely clueless or is he doing it on purpose?!

What I'm saying sounds reasonable, but it just doesn't feel right!

Although Lyon avoided using strong Republican terms like "thugs" and "scum," he continued to discuss reflections favored by Democrats.

But his logic of "judging by behavior regardless of background" and "prioritizing the safety of ordinary people" is simply tap dancing on the nerves of those far-left human rights organizations!

If we were to say just one more word, or even a slightly stronger one, such as "a criminal is a criminal," it would turn into a disastrous political incident, and tomorrow it would be interpreted by far-left media as "police refusing to reflect on systemic discrimination" or "right-wing sympathizers"!

"Damn it..."

He now seriously suspects that the seemingly innocent patrolman is playing with fire and testing his limits.

Just as the mayor was pondering whether to forcefully grab the microphone and interrupt this dangerous topic, a slightly overweight white male reporter wearing gold-rimmed glasses suddenly jumped up from the audience.

Holding a microphone with the "FOX News" logo, he shouted at the top of his lungs before the host could even call his name:

"Officer Vance! Over here!"

"Since you've mentioned protecting ordinary people, then I'd like to ask a question!"

The reporter spoke extremely fast, bombarding the PR secretary with questions before she even had a chance to interrupt:

"According to our understanding, the West District Police Station was severely understaffed during the operation the night before last, and even needed a patrol officer like you who had just been reinstated to lead a hastily assembled team to fill the gap in the defense."

"Does this mean that our police departments have reached the point where they have to rely on lone heroes risking their lives to fill equipment and manpower gaps?"

"If the city hall had a sufficient budget, and you had enough support and equipment, wouldn't you and your colleagues not have to take such a big risk?"

See you in the picture!

Mayor Reynolds felt his blood pressure spike to 200 in an instant.

Damn Fox News! Damn Republican lackeys!

If Lyon were to take advantage of this situation and say, "Yes, we are indeed short of money and manpower," then tomorrow we would definitely see something like, "Heroic patrolman angrily rebukes the mayor: The budget you gave to the police department almost killed us."

"Quick! Cut his microphone! Next question!"

The mayor was yelling at his public relations secretary in a low voice from behind, wishing he could pounce on Leon and cover his mouth.

However, Lyon did not give the public relations secretary time to react.

He looked at the Fox News reporter, his face still bearing that indifferent expression.

He certainly knew what these Republican mouthpieces wanted to hear.

They wanted him to be their pawn in attacking the Democratic mayor.

But Lyon had no intention of doing that.

Completely offending the mayor would do him no good; at least for now, he still needs this fat man to take the fall.

"My friend, your question is far too profound."

Lyon shook his head slightly:

"Regarding the budget... like I just said, that's decided by the big shots in their offices."

"I really don't understand."

"I'm just a second-level patrol officer. My daily work consists of patrolling and writing reports."

"I don't know how much budget we have now, nor do I know what would happen if we had more budget."

"All I know is that on that night, in the pouring rain, my brothers and I didn't sit there complaining about our poor equipment or waiting for someone to give us new guns."

"We will fight with whatever we have at our disposal."

"We rushed into the rain, not to fight for any budget, nor to be heroes."

"It's simply because it's our jurisdiction, and we can't let this city completely fall into drug addiction. That's all."

"As for the money..." Leon shrugged. "Maybe you should ask the mayor over there; he definitely knows more about math than I do."

Upon hearing these words, Mayor Reynolds' heart, which had been in his throat, suddenly dropped back into his stomach with a thud.

"call……"

He let out a long sigh of relief, feeling completely exhausted.

Fortunately.

Although this guy is a scoundrel, he still has a clear head when it matters and wasn't used as a pawn by the Republicans.