^ From MillCreek's link above:
Does merely backing off — letting people who commit low-level crimes more or less go on their way — lead to better human and social outcomes than vigorous prosecution? Many will argue yes; many others will say no. But what everyone should be able to agree on is that this, by itself, is not a politically viable strategy, at least not for long. In a time of deepening social crisis, with many people connecting dots, justly or not, between visible homelessness and petty crime, simple neglect invites a backlash.
An interesting point. I believe we are seeing more people doing some dot-connecting in areas beyond merely homelessness and crime.
Truly, my suggestion ( Reply #16 ) that ass-grabbing opens the window for reporting it as assault was in fact based on the unwarranted assumption that the police would be allowed to do their job.
Silly me.
Terry
