From: stephen@sprunk.org

On 02-Aug-14 19:18, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> On Saturday, August 2, 2014 3:03:07 PM UTC-4, Stephen Sprunk wrote:
>> Cops walking/driving a beat increases the _perception_ that
>> criminals will be caught, changing the subconscious risk/reward
>> analysis. Just as important, though, are the detectives who
>> investigate crimes and _actually_ catch the offenders.
>
> Cops are only one part of the issue.
>
> Another part is public policy.  NYC has an aggressive stop 'n frisk
> policy, Phila refuses to go that route.   I submit that stop 'n frisk
> in NYC acts as a deterrent.

It's a deterrent alright--a deterrent against minorities trusting the
police because they're profiled and harassed even though the police's
own statistics show it has absolutely no effect on crime.

> One definitely reason there is less crime is because the criminals
> are locked up.

Yes... and who finds and arrests the criminals?  Not beat cops.

> In contrast, Phila had a terrible problem with many of those
> arrested needing to post zero bail and then not showing up
> for trial.

And why is the bail zero?  Because jails and prisons are overcrowded due
to the staggering number of minorities incarcerated for non-violent drug
crimes that civilized countries consider a medical problem, not a
criminal one.

> NYC's healthy economy probably reduces crime, but a low crime rate
> contributes to a healthy economy.  In safe cities, people are willing
> to go out at night, open up and run businesses.

I doubt that's significant.  Most crime occurs in areas that have little
(lawful) economic activity to begin with.

S

--
Stephen Sprunk         "God does not play dice."  --Albert Einstein
CCIE #3723         "God is an inveterate gambler, and He throws the
K5SSS        dice at every possible opportunity." --Stephen Hawking

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