Connecting the Dots  

Trouble in our justice system, continued. 

     Author Zack Smith heard similar accounts coming out of cities like Chicago and St. Louis. He began to connect the dots, finding the progressive movement spreading nationwide. 

     He traces its ideology to a 1970s prison abolition movement. "Most people don't understand, because it seems absurd to think that no one should go to prison, regardless of what crime they commit. Many of the goals the prison abolition movement supports have been accomplished through this current movement."   

     In an effort to lower incarceration rates, many rogue prosecutors refuse to prosecute entire classes of crime - like trespassing, shoplifting, drug possession and resisting arrest. Instead, they promote resources to help rehabilitate. 

     They also want to eliminate cash bail, which progressives say criminalizes poverty and disproportionately affects communities of color. In New York, 20 percent of defendants busted for burglary or theft in 2021 committed a felony within 60 days of their release. 

     Will the rule of law survive?

     In San Francisco, smash-and-grab crimes went viral. In Los Angeles, gang members like DA George Gascon so much one vowed to get "Gascon" tattooed on his face. In Chicago, low morale in the office of DA Kim Foxx led more than 235 staff members to resign. 

Tomorrow: What about violent crime?