Richmond, California pays thugs to not shoot each other

[Angel Eyes]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/dangerous-california-city-young-men-money-expense-paid/story?id=38190781

"This Once Dangerous California City Gives Young Men Money, All-Expense-Paid Trips in Exchange for Not Shooting Their Rivals
....
In 2007, the city brought in DeVone Boggan, a youth development policy professional with an expertise in chronic violent offenders and the founder of the Office of Neighborhood Safety, who came up with a controversial solution: Pay young men like Rice not to pull the trigger. The better the behavior, the better the paycheck.

This month, Rice got the maximum -- $1,300."

Hey, I've never murdered anyone.  Where is my check?

Between 2009 and 2014, the number of homicides have dropped 76 percent across Richmond, according to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting program. It’s a number that can’t be attributed to ONS alone. ONS said its proof their approach is working: The vast majority of fellows, 94 percent, are still alive, according to National Council on Crime and Delinquency.

The homicide rate has indeed declined, but coincidence is not causation.  Moreover, it may be on the increase once again.

From http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Richmond-California.html

Richmond's homicide rate was around 18 back in 2001, then ramped up to over 40, then declined to around 16 again in 2013.

11 homicides in 2014: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/west-county-times/ci_27240649/richmond-crime-down-2014-homicides-reach-yet-another

21 homicides in 2015: http://www.eastbaytimes.com/breaking-news/ci_29445011/richmond-25-year-old-man-fatally-shot-citys


A Richmond police officer touched on at least part of the real problem:

“The thing that is unfortunate about it is ... he may bail out before I even get off work. You know? And there’s two firearms recovered in the vehicle,” said Officer Terry Thomas.

While I believe the ONS people genuinely believe they are making Richmond safer, the scheme smacks a bit too much like a protection racket.  Color me skeptical.

[just Warren]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to put all the violent recidivists into an arena and award the last one living a cool, tax-free million dollars?

If anybody is wiling to pay the broadcast rights you might just make a nice profit of the deal.

Maybe I'm being facetious...

In any event this hearkens back to an idea called a peace bond where a known trouble-maker would be required to put up a sum of (real) cash if he wanted to stay in an area. If at the time he left he did not cause any problems he got his money back if not he forfeited the money and possibly his life.

The thing is it was the trouble-maker's money in the first place. His job was not "being peaceful" for which he was paid.

[griz]

I wonder if they even realize that they are subsidizing crime?  I know they say that they're paying people NOT to commit crimes, but they have to get in the criminal justice system to get paid.

[Hawkmoon]

I wonder if they even realize that they are subsidizing crime?  I know they say that they're paying people NOT to commit crimes, but they have to get in the criminal justice system to get paid.

It's also an open invitation to the yoots of the area to enter a life/world of crime and violence. It's essentially protection money, just like in the movies.

[MechAg94]

It's also an open invitation to the yoots of the area to enter a life/world of crime and violence. It's essentially protection money, just like in the movies.

Except now they have a minimum amount of money and can work on doing better crimes. 

It might do more to reduce crime to simply hand out a daily ration of marijuana.  Then they may not want to bother with crime thing.

[MillCreek]

Except now they have a minimum amount of money and can work on doing better crimes. 

It might do more to reduce crime to simply hand out a daily ration of marijuana.  Then they may not want to bother with crime thing.

Geez, what an excellent idea that is.  Reminiscent of 'Soma' in 'Brave New World', but it worked there too.

[HankB]

Except now they have a minimum amount of money and can work on doing better crimes. 

It might do more to reduce crime to simply hand out a daily ration of marijuana.  Then they may not want to bother with crime thing.

How about a daily ration of heroin or some other hard drug? Government could ensure that the druggies get the full strength, uncut stuff, not adulterated with powdered milk, sugar, or whatever.

Seems this would make the problem go away soon.

And as for the thugs shooting each other . . . we should zone for that. Let's face it, one thug does in another thug, that's a "good riddance" event; it's only a problem if some innocent third party is hurt or killed, and that risk could be greatly mitigated by creating "Thug Free-fire Zones."

 

[MechAg94]

How about a daily ration of heroin or some other hard drug? Government could ensure that the druggies get the full strength, uncut stuff, not adulterated with powdered milk, sugar, or whatever.

Seems this would make the problem go away soon.

And as for the thugs shooting each other . . . we should zone for that. Let's face it, one thug does in another thug, that's a "good riddance" event; it's only a problem if some innocent third party is hurt or killed, and that risk could be greatly mitigated by creating "Thug Free-fire Zones."

 

I was just following the same logic.

I like the zoning idea.  Maybe go further and wall off a sizeable area somewhere.  Give them gun, ammo, and a few days food and send them in.  Not sure if you want to let them out or not.

[MillCreek]

I was just following the same logic.

I like the zoning idea.  Maybe go further and wall off a sizeable area somewhere.  Give them gun, ammo, and a few days food and send them in.  Not sure if you want to let them out or not.

And then we send in Snake Plissken to rescue the President!

[wmenorr67]

I was just following the same logic.

I like the zoning idea.  Maybe go further and wall off a sizeable area somewhere.  Give them gun, ammo, and a few days food and send them in.  Not sure if you want to let them out or not.

Ship them off to a deserted island with a knife and the clothes on their back.

If we come back in a year and you're still alive...

[Boomhauer]

And as for the thugs shooting each other . . . we should zone for that. Let's face it, one thug does in another thug, that's a "good riddance" event; it's only a problem if some innocent third party is hurt or killed, and that risk could be greatly mitigated by creating "Thug Free-fire Zones."

NHI.

[griz]

I also wonder how they verify that the recipient of the payout didn't commit a crime.  Does he or she only need to avoid getting caught, or is there a list of government protected thugs that have to survive all month before anybody gets paid?

[Perd Hapley]

I have this feeling that giving people some money to live on, to keep them from falling into a life of crime, is one of the reasons we started this whole welfare/public assitance/public housing business. It is also interesting that crime rose after it was implemented, and then went back down.

[Perd Hapley]

I also wonder how they verify that the recipient of the payout didn't commit a crime.  Does he or she only need to avoid getting caught...

  That is, generally, how things work, yes.

[griz]

I feel better knowing our government is investing in improving the skills of avoiding conflicts with law enforcement.  I'm sure that will save money in the long run.