Took @nypost 3 “reporters” to write another salacious, sarcastic, & misleading attack on commonsense, effective strategies (cheap cells, metrofare) to ensure return to court that don’t cost $925/nt & destroy lives. To them: “Freebies.” “Crime pays giveaways.” “Swag.” “Goodies.” 
This is how they refer to predominately Black & Latino people presumed innocent, too poor to buy release from Rikers: “Jailbirds.” “Inmates.” Ex-inmates.” “Prisoners.” “Cons.” “Criminals.”
A “source” they gave anonymity for no reason: “2020 is going to be the year of the perp!”
A “source” they gave anonymity for no reason: “2020 is going to be the year of the perp!”
The @nypost laments the $500k pricetag to help (not hurt) what they estimate to be 15k people over the course of the year. But they fail to mention that the alternative, Rikers, would cost taxpayers *$13.9 million* for just a single night on a Rikers Island for those same people.
Another “law enforcement source” provided with anonymity for no reason: “It’s a sad state of affairs when the city bends over backward to reward criminals instead of protecting the victims of their crimes. What’s next? Free limo service back home?”
Real journalists: This okay?
Real journalists: This okay?
The @nypost interviews 1 person they refer to as a “ex-con” who got “sprung.” A 27 y/o Bronx man jailed for 11 months on a misdemeanor. Used the debit card provided the city to buy food. They make sure to mention the “teardrop tattooed at the corner of his left eye.”
Truth about supervised release: “As part of these programs, defendants meet w/ social workers to make sure they attend court, don’t get arrested again & get connected with the drug treatment, mental-health services, housing assistance or job training they may need.”
Truth about incentives: “It’s such a well-proven scientific principle that among serious scientists the question isn’t do rewards work, it’s how frequently to reward and how long to keep rewarding for.”
In 2020, common sense laws begin in NY that are no more than a continuation of the measured, steady decline in those detained pretrial. Ending cash bail for misdemeanors & non-violent felonies. Early, automatic evidence disclosure. These reforms save lives & money& make NY safer.
Wrote about “the anatomy of sensationalism” two days ago. This piece bears all the hallmarks. But at base: Helps perpetuate a costly, wasteful, devastating, ineffective system at the expense of predominately Black & Latino communities.
And just noticed the @nypost actually needed more than 3 reporters for this hit job. 2 more contributed “additional reporting.”
#JusticeNotFear
#JusticeNotFear
Want real reporting and honest commentary on the bail reforms but also the coordinated campaign of sensationalism & fearmongering. Read this from the @nytimes: nytimes.com/2019/11/17/opi…
