The Death of Cities, Continued
It's back to the 70s, as our streets go feral
Folks, even progressives in our big towns are starting to buckle. In New Orleans, Starbucks is closing up shop. In San Diego, a most unlikely figure calls out the Mayor and demands law and order. As we’ve noted, San Francisco’s merchants are threatening to withhold taxes. And in New York, as a record number of migrants arrived, a record number of citizens fled.
America, as John Gotti once mused to his crew: “Where we going here?”
New York’s Hatchet Man, as we all know by now, couldn’t be held on bail. Here’s the best take on why (spoiler: yes, it’s the bail reform). BUT the scarier takeaway: In the future we will be able to hold 40% fewer perps in NYC — and it’s a done deal. Here’s why (full disclosure: it’s by one of our favorite writers…).
Hatchet men in fast-food joints: New York’s newest interactive dinner theater.
The Big Easy is easy alright — for violent offenders. New Orleans has officially overtaken St. Louis as Murder Capital, USA. The city is calling on a retired NYPD boss to come in and try to change things up (it’s actually been done before) (full disclosure: that Commissioner once worked for my father in the Transit PD. And is that a story…). Bucking progressive orthodoxy, the N. Orleans Mayor has even — gasp! — signed onto facial recognition (has anyone told the Electronic Frontier Foundation about this?).
The Bad News: None of this is gonna work with this Soros D.A. in charge.
San Diego’s murders are up by the highest count ever, thanks to California’s criminal justice reforms. Those reforms may soon go further, limiting prosecutors from using rap lyrics in a case (the law actually applies to all forms of “creative expression,” but rap cases are driving it) (one wonders how such a law would’ve impacted this infamous case).
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has publicly copped to the murder surge. But in an indication of why the spike continues, as the SDPD Chief discussed ghost guns, City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera opined, “They need love… We need our young folks to feel loved, because hurt people hurt people, and loved people love people.”
In law enforcement, that’s called a “clue.”
North Carolina: Due just north of Fayetteville (which we reported on last time), another senseless murder — in this case, two teens apparently shot execution-style. The manhunt is on for a 17-year-old who, under criminal justice reforms, may be tried as a juvenile (video here).
The New York Times must sense the concern in Tar Heel country: they’re cheerleading the Democratic Senate candidate (“Will North Carolina’s Senate Race Break Democratic Hearts Again?” Warning: firewall). Tellingly, in a loooong article comparing the candidates: not a word on crime.
Governor Roy Cooper has responded to rising violence in his state with the release a week ago of this report, from his signature Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice (TREC). The recommendations are here.
They’re essentially the same slate of “reforms” destroying criminal justice across the nation. They’re certainly going to be expensive. Let’s see if they work.
Hint: They won’t.
North Dakota: A political argument leads to a young Republican run over and killed by an enraged Democrat… and the judge releases him on $50k bail (which likely means a 10% bond — $5,000). The perp allegedly confessed in his 911 call — but got bail because he had “things” that were “very important” to attend to.
To state the obvious: Can you imagine if these facts were reversed, and the crime occurred in a blue state?
Is it any wonder law enforcement grows cynical? As cops love to say, “Oh sure. The system’s on the level.”
If the facts remain as reported thus far: this one reeks. Such a thing cannot be tolerated — from either side of the political aisle.
A reader forwarded this story, from a fellow substacker. One rarely gets to read such a telling piece (well-written too). If you ever wonder how New Yorkers can allow what’s happening to occur in their city, read this bulletin from the People’s Republic of Brooklyn (caution: don’t drink while doing so. Multiple spit-takes. It’s hilarious) (really, don’t miss it).
A smart friend writes: “With two million illegals entering the country this year, if they were to be spread out across the country based on population numbers, on a pro rata basis Martha’s Vineyard would get 68. They only got 50.” Question: So does the Vineyard still have the temerity to call itself a “sanctuary” community? (Answer: Of course).
China, Russia, Iran, N. Korea… the received wisdom says these are our chief foreign threats. But is there another? That’s our next Ops Desk bulletin.
And lastly: Our website goes live! Check out the launch iteration, where guest writers will be posting longer form pieces, archival material, interviews, and retired hairbags performing interpretive dance. The stuff’s been coming in… we’ll be uploading it regulalry…!
Until then: stay safe.