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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