Tag: Crime

Saved by the Camera How New York Can Use Its Red-Light and Speed Cameras to Prevent Deadly Crashes

Introduction

New York City, enabled by state legislation, has long policed its roads with the help of cameras to catch vehicles running red lights and, more recently, breaking the speed limit. Such automated enforcement has helped the city reduce serious crashes by double-digit percentages, leading to a decline in fatal vehicle crashes from a modern high of 701 in 1990 to a modern low of 206 in 2018.

However, the city has not adequately used the data gleaned from red-light and speed camera tickets to help predict and thus prevent serious crashes. Reckless driving has increased since early 2020: by 2022, traffic deaths had risen to 261,2 27% above the low, thus reversing a decade of progress, before rising slightly in 2023, to 262. This increase in traffic deaths was part of a nationwide trend of reduced policing and spikes in antisocial behavior and violent deaths. The city sharply curtailed police traffic stops beginning in 2020, for example. That year, the city conducted only 510,000 stops—barely half the 985,000 stops recorded in 2019. Through November 2023, traffic stops had returned to just 70% of 2019 levels.

Get a .PDF copy here:

media4.manhattan-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/how-new-york-can-use-its-red-light-and-speed-cameras-to-prevent-deadly-crashes.pdf

Misdemeanor Enforcement Trends in New York City, 2016–2022 | Brennan Center for Justice

When people think of the American criminal justice system, they think of prisons, lengthy sentences, and parole hearings. They also think of serious offenses such as murder, aggravated assault, and rape. But the majority of cases are less serious offenses, as defined in statute, including drug possession, shoplifting, gambling, public drunkenness, disorderly conduct, vandalism, speeding, simple assault, and driving with a suspended license.
— Read on www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/misdemeanor-enforcement-trends-new-york-city-2016-2022

Get a .PDF of the report HERE

Safety on Capitol Hill: DC Crime’s Impact on Congressional Operations and Visitors

This is a hearing of the Committee on House Administration Full Committee Hearing and can be accessed at HERE. The hearing had 3 witnesses testify: Mr. Thomas Manger Chief, United States Capitol Police, Mr. Gregg Pemberton Chairman, DC Police Union, and Mr. Raphael Mangual Nick Ohnell Fellow, The Manhattan Institute. Mr. Raphael Mangual’s testimony starts at the 24:55 minute mark. If you never hear or read of Mr. Raphael Mangual’s work it is a must listen to. Mr. Raphael Mangual witness statement can be access HERE.

See the video of the hearing HERE until it is posted on Congress’ website.

Chicago traffic stops lead to gun charges for thousands | WBEZ Chicago

Critics say people arrested for gun possession during traffic stops are collateral damage in an ineffective police strategy to fight crime.

How else are police supposed to get to the guns in vehicles?
— Read on www.wbez.org/stories/chicago-traffic-stops-lead-to-gun-charges-for-thousands/febc8d42-0a50-4364-b817-135a808f99a1

The effects of cash bail on crime and court appearances

On any given day, approximately 514,000 people are held in local jails across the United States. Though defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, more than 80% of the jail population are awaiting trial and have yet to be convicted of a crime. Defendants accused of particularly serious violent crimes or who pose a credible threat to public safety may be detained in jail while awaiting trial. However, most defendants are entitled to pretrial release. Judges may impose conditions on a defendant’s release, such as electronic monitoring or supervision through a pretrial services agency.
— Read on reason.org/policy-brief/the-effects-of-cash-bail-on-crime-and-court-appearances/