I thought not clearing drug corners after the 2015 riots was a big deal. It was. Murders nearly doubled. But “little” things like this are big deals.
And very few will notice the cause and effect after the fact. That’s the shame. There’s no accountability for what are purely political decision. “Cops are pulling back!” they’ll say. And it’s true. But people need to get at the way.
Baltimore cops are being told (the “after consulting with a lieutenant or above” is the hammer) to not arrest for drugs, attempted distribution of drugs, prostitution, trespassing, “minor” traffic offenses (minor without-quotes traffic offenses are already not arrestable) public drinking, and pissing or shitting in public.
This is a big deal. Who wants this? It’s a political choice, and a bad one.
“Rogues and vagabonds” can finally rogue and vagabond in peace.
Peter, 4 out of the 9 are directly related to drugs and\or the drug war broadly. Can’t we just finally pluck this lowest of hanging fruit and legalize all illicit substances? Obviously the dishonest BLM movement won’t champion this, and neither will conservatives .I guess wanting to legalize drugs is to criminal justice what atheism is to religion.
Prof, there is an article in this week’s Economist about the use of drones to help solve murders in Baltimore. What do you think of it?
JSM
CRACK HOUSE ON THE CORNER !!!!!!!
I do believe people have the right to assemble and peacefully protest. However, these kinds of gatherings often do lead to violent situations rather quickly. Stemming mainly from the ever increasing distrust of police officers. Unfortunately, movements to defund police departments just lead to further deterioration of communities. Police officers should be held accountable for their actions, but the public needs to also recognize that these are the same individuals keeping our streets clean and safe.
Very few cops are going to want to deal with these types of people after being told they can’t arrest them or do nothing to them so that’s just going to cause these problems to multiply like you stated about the murders nearly doubled. If police can’t police, the communities for drug distribution prostitution trespassing then what are the cops really police in the neighborhood for. This is just going to allow the people of the community to do what they want when they want.
Police is there to help and protect our communities, why?, not let them do what they were meant to do. Some of the police officers give their best to every day. Yes, is a bad choice by politically to choose to not supporting the police officers to do what they were assign to do serve and protect the public.
I believe not all drug related crimes are bad such as possessing a small amount for yourself and getting caught with it. However, when it comes to not policing at all for drugs, distribution of drugs, prostitution, etc. this will only make the problem worse than it already is. it may sound like a good idea to some to focus on murders or other serious matters but not doing anything at all when it comes to this doesn’t make matters any better.
It is a shame that despite the evidence that murders have doubled there will be no action taken because our criminal justice system does not follow an evidence-based system instead it bows down to whatever prevailing narrative at the time and call it “common sense”.
Its a real shame what is happening in . Policing needs to continue to keep the streets safe.
The cops are being told not to “cop” in a sense. People are so against cops now days and think all cops are the bad guys but once something gets bad a police officer is the first person that they want to protect them. The public cant pic and choose what they want and what is convenient for them.
It doesn’t make much sense to me anymore. When did we choose chaos over peace?
Things have drastically changed and not for the better it seems.
To serve and protect was the initial goal. All we ask is for it to be the mindset once again.
I agree, this is a bad political choice, but they want to see the people “happy” and not hurt their feelings. In this criminal system there should not be feelings involved only ethical and unethical punishments. These “minor” crimes can be translated to more serious crimes if left unattended.
Unrelated to this blog post, but I saw you mentioned at The Marshall Project.
https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/09/01/police-say-demoralized-officers-are-quitting-in-droves-labor-data-says-no
I think that it’s really un ethical for the lieutenant or above from the police their follow comrades. By not arrest for drugs, attempted distribution of drugs, prostitution, trespassing, “minor” traffic offenses
I really think that cops should not hold back on this crimes because, this gives power to the Criminals and it shows them that we can be a weak community. We have to realize that we definitely do need cops to help us stop this crimes and to keep people safe because it the duty of the Government to protect us at all cost, even if we have treats upon us, we should show we don’t tremble against no one
I don’t Understand the Logic of the politicians making these decisions.
Hello Mr.Moskos, I agree with your post, the police should be able to apprehend prostitutes, distribution of drugs trespassing and defecating in the streets. These crimes should be punishable as they cause destruction to the community. Baltimore should take more action in its police force because these crimes that are not being punished for can grow to more serious crimes.
Drugs are detrimental to the society at large and everyone in power should make it their sole responsibility to stop drug cartels and drug lords from perpetuating criminal offenses. It is wrong to the highest order to see the police sit back while the youth are being recruited into drugs, the very innocent people the police ought to protect from evil druggists.
This is a very interesting post, thank you for your incite to it. It definitely leaves me with some food for thought.
Its not right you would think you have control of the streets but its seems like the streets have a control of the police. Undoubtedly I believe things should be gone about a different way. Those problems you presented needs some regulation brought to it. It will not be a better place if people are not kept in check and controlled.
Hello Moskos, Im a student at UTRGV and i recently was assigned to read your book “In defense of flogging”. Which was great it really opened my mind on some issues with the justice system. After reading the above post it seems honestly unreal, How are police not suppose to “police”. I wasn’t aware of this issue until i read this post. Thank you for sharing whats going on around the United States, it is very important to know what is happening around us.
I believe people need to be taken care of in one way or another, there needs to be supervision in order to deter criminal activities from becoming normal activities. If the city government does not care about drug dealers being in every corner, kids and young adults having the opportunity to deal and consume drugs without any intervention, then murder and trouble and shooting are the consequences of bad leaders and their wrong decisions.
Good afternoon Mr. Peter Moskos.
I agree with your post from beginning to end. I enjoyed reading your post because it is true what you state.It has inspired me and given me a better and bigger insight into this problem. It is significantly important to clear drug corners. As you mention, murders increase due to drug corners not being cleared.
Overall, there needs to be a change!