We have a problem here in Connecticut. We passed what seemed like a good law, reducing felony penalties in offenders under the age of 18. The idea was to reduce the school-to-prison pipeline. Diversion programs are really good.
Last night, my friend's car was broken into in their driveway. On the other side of town, a 17 year old was arrested for the third time in a week for some form of felony theft - usually cars.
So my frustration with the idiocy of "Defund the Police" comes from this phenomena, which is a blind spot for progressive reformers. Ideology or simple ideals prompt you to make a change, but in acting with haste, you put into place a law or program that hasn't been properly tested against reality and human nature. Then you have to pick up the pieces.
I'm hopeful that legislators in Hartford will amend the law in someway to create more consequences while not returning to a "throw the book at them" attitude that would prevail if Republicans win control of the legislature. While that is unlikely to happen, that depends on not letting crime waves crest.
No comments:
Post a Comment