Thread by @ScottHech

THREAD: So many reporters reaching out (and I'm grateful for this) about "crime rates” and how "some people are saying" it's because of "bail reform" or "discovery reform" or "progressive prosecutors.” How do I respond? "Don't write the story. Don't spread the lie." More:

First things first. “Crime rates” are historic lows. Other than homicides, the rest of all major crimes continued their 30 year decline. Yes, this includes *shoplifting* -- the “crime” of the moment. Yes, even in SF and LA. latimes.com/business/story….

For homicides--the only crime rate that increased last year: First let me say that people *died.* Families destroyed. These are *tragedies.* The last thing in the world we should be doing, yet police & prosecutors & many in the media are doing, is weaponizing them to scare you.

For homicides--the only crime rate that increased last year: it did so universally. In red & blue states. In states w/ & w/o modest reform (very few). Those w/ & w/o “progressive prosecutors." Those w/ high & low “police morale.” With protests and without. motherjones.com/crime-justice/…

Homicides--the only crime rate that increased last year--fortunately continue to be at historic lows & are declining again. What does this tell us? That far too many people lost their lives last year. Trying to determine a broader cause from short term data is a fools errand.

What does all the data tell us? Nothing except that police and prosecutor and lawmaker cynical attempts to paint anything as a result of “reform” is plainly false. And changes to policy to respond to these false perceptions are dangerous, cynical politics. bloomberg.com/news/articles/…

And dear reporters: It isn’t “people” who are saying crime rates. It is POLICE and PROSECUTORS and PRISON interests amplified by the MEDIA. This is a critical point. Why? Carceral interests have an interest in perpetuating the status quo. They literally depend on it.

The same groups lying about causation and fear mongering over non-existent “spikes” and “surges” are the ones who get paid more than any other society in the history of the world to prevent crime. To make--they claim--society healthier and safer. Over $100 billion per year.

The same groups lying about causation & fear mongering over non-existent “spikes” & “surges”--police & prison interests--are literally admitting that they are failing. If this were any other issue or agency, they’d be fired, defunded, rejected. Instead: they’re rewarded.

Same groups lying about causation & fear mongering over non-existent “spikes” & “surges”--police & prison interests--LIE, transparently, all the time. On things big & small SF police were just exposed for a brazen cover up. But SF mayor to pay them more?

https://twitter.com/ScottHech/status/1470811806083923969?s=20

We have over 50 years of data to show how modern policing and incarceration undermines public health & safety. Yet somehow “bail reform” or other changes like “progressive prosecutors” which barely exist anywhere, get blamed for it? It’s an incredible sleight of hand by police.

We have over 50 years of data to show how modern policing & incarceration undermines public health and safety. This recent meta-analysis proves to a criminological fact that increased sentences don’t improve safety. No one wrote about it or heard about it.

https://twitter.com/ScottHech/status/1447599536004734980?s=20

We also know that decarceration IS a public safety strategy. Pre-trial caging is characterized by the same things that drive violence. Recidivism increases. In cities like NYC with steep drops in numbers caged over last decades, they’ve seen a dramatic decrease in major crime.

NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea was literally forced to admit he lied for years about bail reform leading to shootings. Under oath. On TV. In front of the legislature. Last month. That his data showed that people released are not committing violence.newyork.cbslocal.com/2021/10/14/bai…

NYPD Police Commissioner Dermot Shea’s lie was what already rolled back bail reform in New York. And media is still printing that accusation and relying on him. It’s all so transparent. But media outlets continue to fall for it.

https://twitter.com/ScottHech/status/1450507744939687940?s=20

So back to where I started. Just printing or giving air to the lie (i.e. “police say [a LIE], while experts say they’re lying”) is a win for police. This is in large part what led to bail rollbacks in NYC. And what's changing the landscape elsewhere.fwd.us/news/new-repor…

I wrote recently about how media & even very well-intentioned journalists enable the policing status quo to continue. I critiqued 2 reports from NPR & NY Times & offered a roadmap for journalists on how to do better journalism on crime & punishment.thenation.com/article/societ…

And for those who made it this far who simply choose not to believe statistics. And feel unsafe & want something to be done. You’re feelings do matter. And I too want health & safety. Please ponder this critical question:

https://twitter.com/scotthech/status/1470087747302051852