A Year of Living Dangerously in American Cities

Seriously, why wouldn't you? In the old days you wouldn't because you would be scared that you would get caught.

In the past, “smash and grab” robberies occurred, but it was a very infrequent occurrence. It was rare because thieves understood if they were caught there would be consequences, and even punishment, perish the thought! A criminal would have to raise bail to be released. If not, he would have to spend weeks or even months in the slammer.

Afterwards, there would be a trial or a plea deal, and a criminal might have to go to prison for more months, if not years. Thus, the prospect of incarceration was a serious deterrent, which forced criminals to exhibit some limited self-control.

This is no longer the situation in urban America, everything has changed. At first the change was gradual, with incarceration and punishment being viewed by certain “intellectuals” as a racist tool used to control urban minorities.