The hottest Policing Substack posts right now

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Top U.S. Politics Topics

Prison And Crime: Much More Than You Wanted To Know

Astral Codex Ten • 35858 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Policing Prison Reform Public Policy
  1. Long prison sentences don't necessarily lower crime rates. Studies suggest they have a weak effect on deterring future crime and might not be worth the costs.
  2. Incapacitating criminals by keeping them in prison does prevent some crimes, but the number of crimes prevented by an extra year in prison is generally low compared to other crime-fighting methods.
  3. After someone is released from prison, their chance of reoffending can actually increase due to loss of social connections and opportunities, making long sentences sometimes counterproductive.

Highlights From The Comments On Prison

Astral Codex Ten • 15485 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Criminal Justice Prison Reform Policing Public Policy Societal Impact
  1. Many criminals act without thinking of long-term consequences. They might believe they'd get away with risky behavior, such as driving drunk, which can lead to serious problems later on.
  2. Prison can sometimes offer a break from harmful lifestyles, especially for those already struggling with addiction or crime. It might not disrupt a stable life, since some people had a challenging life full of problems even before incarceration.
  3. The effectiveness of longer prison sentences as a deterrent is questionable. Many criminals don't pay attention to the details of potential punishments, but are more influenced by the chance of getting caught while committing a crime.

Derek Chauvin Did Not Murder George Floyd

Glenn Loury • 5694 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social Issues Justice Policing Race relations
  1. The concept of "poetic truth" is discussed, referring to the creation of a partisan version of reality for power and leverage.
  2. The narrative around George Floyd's death is challenged, highlighting potential inaccuracies and the danger of perpetuating false truths.
  3. The importance of seeking and acknowledging the truth in controversial and emotionally charged situations is emphasized, even when it challenges established beliefs.

The Moral Panic Over Retail Theft Is Out of Control

Discourse Blog • 1061 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crime Policing Legislation Government funding Economic Impact
  1. Retailers are using the narrative of organized theft to justify store closures, blame financial downturns, and push for harsher laws and increased police funding.
  2. There is doubt and skepticism about the actual extent and impact of organized retail theft, despite widespread media coverage and corporate claims.
  3. The response to the perceived rise in theft includes enhanced security measures, stricter laws, and significant funding for law enforcement, generating concerns about over-policing and reinforcing damaging narratives.
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My questions for the GOP candidates

The Watch • 860 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Policing Criminal Justice Reproductive Rights First Amendment
  1. Some key questions for GOP candidates revolve around their stance on important issues like the COVID-19 vaccine, QAnon conspiracy theories, and racism.
  2. The GOP candidates are asked about their views on the death penalty, executing drug dealers, and their opinions on the Trump administration's policies.
  3. Questions are raised about the GOP candidates' stance on law enforcement, policing, and criminal justice reforms, including their views on the Capitol riots and the FBI.

Amid Suburban Riots in France, Some Brief Thoughts on Their Potential Roots

Paris Unlocked Newsletter • 119 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics France Violence Discrimination Community Policing
  1. Riots and demonstrations have broken out in Paris due to frustration, poverty, and discrimination.
  2. There is intense political polarization in France around issues of policing and order.
  3. Understanding the roots of violent protest does not excuse the violence but helps in comprehending the conditions that lead to such responses.

Policing the Cops

Diane Francis • 339 implied HN points • 03 May 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policing Legislation Gun Control Social justice Drug policy
  1. Policing in America has become very militarized, often lacking proper training and accountability. Many officers are poorly trained and some act with bias or aggression.
  2. The increase of video evidence from smartphones and body cameras is pushing for accountability in police actions. Public scrutiny is growing, and each police incident is likely to lead to protests and demands for change.
  3. To reduce police violence, America needs to focus on better training for officers, civilian oversight, and treating drug issues as health problems rather than criminal ones. There are examples in other countries that could provide a better model.

Policing as a Toxic Industrial Labor Relation

Something to Consider • 39 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Policing Public Safety Law enforcement Crime Rates
  1. After protests in 2020, many police officers are doing less to fight crime. This is not because there are fewer crimes, but because officers now feel less support.
  2. Trust is really important in policing. When officers believe their efforts won't be appreciated, they may only do the bare minimum required.
  3. To improve policing, city leaders need to show they support the police and encourage them to be more active. This could help reduce crime and increase safety.

Academia as a Status Game

Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology • 15 implied HN points • 16 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Academia Research Policing Social Sciences
  1. In academia, citations reflect what the industry values and can lead to grants, tenure, and status.
  2. Research on Black Lives Matter often focuses on promoting radical causes rather than saving lives directly.
  3. There is a need for a major reorientation in social science research to prioritize studies that can save lives, especially in law enforcement.