Click here to view original web page at www.theblaze.com
Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced on Friday that the city of Baltimore would permanently suspend prosecution of prostitution, drug possession, minor traffic offenses, and other so-called “quality of life” crimes.
Mosby had previously announced the policy as a temporary measure that was allegedly designed to slow the spread of COVID-19 among the city’s police force and prison population. However, in Friday’s press conference, Mosby claimed that the policy had served to lower violent crime in Baltimore, and that it proved that her vision of “criminal justice reform” worked. Thus, the policy would become permanent.
According to NBC News, Mosby claimed during the press conference that since the implementation of the policy, violent crime had declined 20 percent and property crime had declined 36 percent. “Clearly, the data suggest there is no public safety value in prosecuting low-level offenses,” Mosby said.
Of course these statistics reflect merely that police have made fewer arrests for these crimes, not that they have not happened. Notably, the city’s homicide rate — which is difficult to fudge since homicides are virtually always reported — fell only very slightly from 2019, which was a record-setting year in Baltimore. Additionally, it should be noted that property and drug crimes were reported to have fallen nationwide in 2020, including in places that did not implement such policies, which suggests that the falling rate of those crimes has more to do with the existence of the pandemic (either in terms of reduced police enforcement or reduced criminal activity) than the implementation of any “criminal justice reform program.” However, it is true that the nation overall saw a large spike in homicides, aggravated assaults, and gun assaults in 2020, and Baltimore did not.
Click here to view original web page at www.theblaze.com
They’re Trying to Shut Us Down
Over the last several months, I’ve lost count of how many times the powers-that-be have tried to shut us down. They’ve sent hackers at us, forcing us to take extreme measures on web security. They sent attorneys after us, but thankfully we’re not easily intimidated by baseless accusations or threats. They’ve even gone so far as to make physical threats. Those can actually be a bit worrisome but Remington has me covered.
For us to continue to deliver the truth that Americans need to read and hear, we ask you, our amazing audience, for financial assistance. We have a Giving Fuel page to help us pay the bills. It’s brand new so don’t be discouraged by the lack of donations there. It’s a funny reality that the fewer the donations that have been made, the less likely people are willing to donate to it. One would think this is counterintuitive, but sometimes people are skeptical because they think that perhaps there’s a reason others haven’t been donating. In our situation, we’re just getting started so please don’t be shy if you have the means to help.
Thank you and God bless!
JD Rucker