How serious is New York City’s real crime problem?
Recent recidivism numbers highlighted by Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch at a press conference revealed alarming trends.
Since 2018, recidivism rates have surged significantly: Offenders with three or more arrests in a single year for the same crime have increased by 147% for felony assault and 119% for grand larceny-auto.
For robbery?
An 83% increase.
Grand larceny saw a 71% increase in recidivism; shoplifting and burglary also saw rises of 64% and 61%, respectively.
These are not individuals who turned to crime due to unfortunate circumstances.
They are not victims of poverty or any other social issue.
They are persistent repeat offenders, committing crimes with growing enthusiasm and a sense of impunity.
Take for example Jamar Banks, a subway slasher with 54 arrests for violent and property crimes, who was free to harm two individuals in separate incidents.
Why are individuals like Banks allowed to continue committing crimes unchecked?
What emboldens them to do so?
It is because in New York City, law enforcement and prosecutors are constrained by laws that favor criminals and hinder public safety efforts.
Especially detrimental is the state’s 2019 bail-reform law: The leniency in releasing offenders due to the abolition of bail has contributed significantly to the rise in recidivism rates as highlighted by Adams and Tisch.
Additionally, the “discovery law” reforms burden prosecutors with excessive paperwork (even Democratic legislators acknowledge the need for change).
These recidivism statistics debunk the notion that violent criminals are individuals facing difficult circumstances.
The Post had warned that the 2019 bail law and other progressive justice reforms would compromise public safety — a prediction validated by the recent numbers, despite a slight decrease in crime rates.
While it’s not a situation we wished to be right about, the reality speaks for itself.
New York’s elected officials must acknowledge their errors and take steps to rectify them.
