Category: Uncategorized

The 1994 Crime Bill Wasn’t Actually Bad

I read an article today and there was one line that stood out: “…and as legislation like the 1994 crime bill passed, mass incarceration rose dramatically.” The article isn’t even about the 1994 Crime Bill, which is why the line stood out. It’s just kind of a throwaway line I’ve seen before, asserting a common…
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More youth recidivism after “raise the age”

I don’t know how NY manages to mess up things other do OK. Things like bail reform, legal marijuana, hot dogs, and raise the age. I don’t get this. Really. Not being facetious. Advocates pushed for “raise the age” (moving 16- and 17-year-old offenders down to “family court”) to benefit them. It was supposed to…
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NY arrests, pre-trial release, and rearrests

Far be it for me to say if these changes are because of changes in law, police, bail reform, or prosecution,but things have changed in NY. And blaming “bail reform” may be simplistic. But crime AND recidivism have gotten worse, and “changes in law, policing, bail reform, discovery reform, the diaphragm law, raise the age,…
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A list of research on police and crime prevention

It’s strangely common to hear something like, “we _know_ police don’t prevent crime.” It’s a dangerous and false mantra. Sometimes Manning (1979), Gottfredson and Hirschi (1990), Koenig (1991), Tonry (1995), and Bayley (1994) are cited, but I don’t think they even meant that police have no effect on crime. Here is a (partial, in progress)…
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QPP 56: Peter Moskos and Alex Vitale, moderated by Michael Fortner

This conversation happened in at Claremont McKenna College in October of 2021. Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49961486 It is between me, Peter Moskos, and Alex Vitale, moderated by Michael Fortner. Video is on youtube and here: There’s a related podcast where I was interviewed that can be found here.

QPP 55: John Yohe and Billy Gorta

These two guys started compstat. Like literally. One wrote the code and they pressed the buttons that made it go. Also you can’t beat this review on twitter. Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/49343077 And on the youtube (Photo courtesy of John Yohe): Unedited automatic incorrect transcript. But even with all the errors it can still come in handy:…
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QPP 54: Joseph Richardson

University of Maryland professor Dr. Joseph Richardson. His documentary Life After the Gun Shot. Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/47327231 YouTube for those who like the youtube:

QPP 53: Thomas Abt

Thomas Abt is the chair of the Violent Crime Working Group and Senior Fellow at the Council On Criminal Justice. He is the author of Bleeding Out. Here is the link to the #3 Bulletin from the Council on Criminal Justice. Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/47154882 YouTube, for those who insist.

QPP 52: William Gorta (part 2/2)

William Gorta was on the “founding fathers” of NYPD’s compstat. This is the second of a two-part episode. The first episode is here. Audio 2/2: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/46929330 Youtube:

QPP 51: William Gorta (part 1/2)

William Gorta was one of the NYPD’s “founding fathers” of compstat. First in a two-part episode. Second episode is here. https://www.spreaker.com/episode/46856981 Youtube: