“Ideally, informal social controls, above all the family, preserve public order. But when the family disintegrates, the police are the second-best solution for protecting the law-abiding.”

American conservative political commentator, essayist, lawyer, and author

Heather Mac Donald is an American conservative political commentator, essayist, lawyer, and author. She is known for her writings on criminal justice, policing, and public policy, and for her opposition to criminal justice reform. She is a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a contributing editor of its City Journal. Her work often argues for strong support of police and examines debates over crime, law enforcement, and reform.