Many major American cities are experiencing a rise in lawlessness, as evidenced by the recent Fourth of July weekend in Chicago where at least 109 people, including children, were shot, with nineteen fatalities.
Nationally, there were over 500 reported shootings during this period, resulting in at least 180 deaths and over 525 injuries.
This escalation of violence is leading to the decline of once-thriving cities, with businesses closing, families leaving, and neighborhoods deteriorating.
However, there is a solution to this violence, as highlighted by Republicans at their national convention in Milwaukee. The key lies in addressing a small group of habitual offenders who are responsible for a significant portion of violent crime.
Research has shown that roughly 1% of the population commits between half and two-thirds of predatory violent crime, a finding that is consistent not only in the United States but also in other countries like Sweden.
Allowing these habitual violent offenders to remain on the streets leads to an increase in violent crime rates. Progressive prosecutors who adopt soft-on-crime policies are exacerbating the situation, as seen in cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
These lenient policies not only contribute to rising crime rates but also undermine the criminal justice system by ignoring lower-level offenses and undercharging serious crimes.
To effectively combat violent crime, it is essential to have accurate criminal-history records and impose appropriate penalties on repeat offenders. Community policing, which relies on building trust between law enforcement and the community, is also hindered by the leniency of progressive DAs.
Addressing juvenile crime is another critical aspect, as leniency towards young offenders can lead them down a path of criminality. Early intervention and imposing consequences for wrongdoing can help steer them away from a life of crime.
It is evident that progressive policies are failing to improve public safety and quality of life in cities, emphasizing the need for a shift towards law and order. Rejecting destructive progressive policies is crucial to preventing the degeneration of our cities.
As the inscription at the US Department of Justice reminds us, “under law and order, all is done.” Real progress can only be achieved through maintaining law and order in society.
William Barr, former US attorney general and author of the memoir “One Damn Thing After Another,” emphasizes the importance of law and order in fostering a good, noble, and beautiful society.
