Jailing someone in need of help for stealing packages to survive will not solve anything. “I’m poor. I can’t afford to eat.” You can’t deter poverty w/ jail. At least the crime victim gets it: “It’s a bigger issue than just the new law. He needs help.”nydailynews.com/new-york/ny-pa…
The burglaries we see in NY are predominantly people in need of help taking packages from lobbies or power tools from construction sites. Reselling for food, rent, substances. Never come into contact w/ anyone. Vast majority have long been released w/o bail. Rarely do jail time.
Those who do get arrested for this type of conduct are in obvious, desperate need of help. Long criminal records filled w/ mostly lowlevel crimes of poverty: drug possession, petit larceny, jumping subway turnstiles, trespass. Struggling to survive.
I have met dozens of people in this position. Charged w/ package theft. In Brooklyn, the DA has long consented to release in the majority of these cases. Long before bail reform. Judges understand. Ordinarily end in a plea w/ time already served or drug treatment.
2 years ago, I posted this poll asking the general public what they think should happen to people accused of the same conduct the Daily News chose to sensationalize. 20,000 people voted. Close to 90% thought misdemeanor or no charge & defer to treatment.
