What should citizens do when the police say they don't have sufficient resources to maintain public order?The SAPS told parliament's portfolio committee on police that they lack the manpower to deal with the many protests in this country.The admission raises many questions about our security.If the police don't have enough resources to deal with public unrest, we are at the mercy of anarchists.Deputy national police commissioner Fannie Masemola said: "Our forces are not enough. Resources are stretched. I am in negotiations to up the number of people trained in public order policing."What we have is not sufficient to cater for the challenges we have, especially in the public order environment."Since the police killed 34 miners in Marikana back in 2012 there have been calls for improved training.The Farlam Commission of Inquiry highlighted the need for improved training so that protests could be quelled with the minimum of violence.But in the four years since the Marikana tragedy the police remain beset by the same problems.In 2014, they asked for an additional R3.3-billion to increase manpower and purchase equipment but the Treasury denied the request.This year, R598-million has been set aside for public order policing over the next three years and we hope it will make a difference.It is just nine weeks before the local government elections, but still violent protests rage all across the country.This week Hammanskraal is burning.It would be folly if our leaders don't prioritise funding for the police. Public violence will not die down on its own.It is a big worry that the police are underfunded when top politicians cruise around with more protection every day...