What is wrong with good ole jail?

The Arizona Republic has this article about Avodale becoming the latest Arizona jurisdiction to post mug shots of criminals (in this case suspected) on the Internet. I get it... I know, we are just being tough on crime. When did we decide that public humiliation needed to be added to the adequate punishment of paying fines and going to jail.

There is just something about a grandstanding get tough on crime blowhard politician that makes me not like their ideas. That is why I think this idea is such a dumb one.

Phil Gordon, crime stats and The Wire

Sorry this post is kind of inside baseball (and I mean inside my own head). I read this article in today's Arizona Republic about dropping crime rates and the strategies used to accomplish them.

Do any of you watch The Wire on HBO? I cannot help but see the parallels between our mayor and the fictional one in Baltimore. A big story line in the Wire is about "juking" the crime stats, the mayor that wants to be governor and chasing down a serial killer (a fictional one on The Wire, no actually fictional on the show). They even look alike:

If you are not already watching the show, it is too late the last episode is next week. I am so sad...

Maricopa County Sheriff's office misses raves next door put on by pedophile for underage kids

This story falls into the truth is stranger than fiction category. It almost sounds like the plot from a very bad movie. The New Times has this article with the whole story. Basically an old pedophile was having illegal raves downtown with mostly underage kids in attendance. The police and fire department finally busted the place, but it was not the police you might think. One of County Sheriff Joe "Dime bag" Arpaio's offices is next door, but the sheriff was not in on the bust. Good police work Joe!

Thomas Watch: How about a little prosecutorial misconduct?

The Arizona Republic has this article about the ongoing tempest in a teapot between Terry Goddard, Andy "the douche" Thomas and Joe "dime-bag" Arpaio. I find myself increasingly speechless when confronted with actions of the modern Republican Party.

Since when did intragovernmental transfers become bribery? This charge is ridiculous on its face. It is funny how Republicans of the Bush variety care so little for insuring the safety of citizens and punishment of criminals (rather than the prosecution of political opponents). If Andy Thomas would stick to aggressive prosecution of criminals and quit being such a douche, he would probably have a good shot at Attorney General or even Governor (as frightening as that may seem).

Why is it that the modern Republican Party has lost all sense duty to our country, our society and our way of life? Prosecutors and law enforcement should strive to be above reproach. If you want to be a political hack, run for the legislature, run for Congress, but stay away Sheriff and County Attorney (that goes for both parties), please...

Gangs in Pinal county, who knew?

Apparently the gang problem in Arizona is not limited to Maricopa county. I have written previously about the graffiti and gang problems in Central Phoenix. I find it surprising that gangs are in fairly rural parts of Pinal county. Things are getting so bad in central Phoenix that my wife and I will probably move to a safer (and far less interesting) part of Phoenix soon. It really is unfortunate that we cannot do a better job on crime prevention.

Lead, Crime and Rudy G

This article from the Washington Post goes into the links between lead poisoning and crime. What is so fascinating about it, besides bringing reality to some of Rudy Guiliani's claims about reducing crime in New York, is how the Guiliani people were so quick to dismiss what seems to be strong scientific work. I know they are in the midst of a political campaign and without Rudy's mythology on crime and 9/11 he has very little cache, but this is precisely the kind of information that policy makers should use to make policy decisions.

For instance, if we know that adolescents with a history of lead poisoning are much more likely to commit violent crime and older criminals that were exposed to lead are more likely to be recidivist criminals it should inform our policies towards those people. Maybe a history of serious lead poisoning should be considered in parole?

It just goes to show that being tough alone is not enough to fix crime problems, human behavior is much more complex. It also goes to show that toxins in our environment can have unforeseen affects that we should spend more time trying to pin point.

Crime rate up, but I already knew that...

This article in the Arizona Republic presents both sides of the crime statistics debate. While it is good to see a newspaper that gives a balanced view of statistics, it has been my experience in the last year that crime in Phoenix is up. For me, (and yes this is anecdotal) the increase in crime is palatable.

My neighborhood and most of central Phoenix have seen major increases in small property crime and graffiti. I think these are the early signs of the increased gang activity mentioned in the article. Last week, I saw several instances of graffiti in the Arcadia and the Biltmore areas, both pretty swanky areas. My middle income neighborhood has seen a major increase in graffiti and small property crime. This has been a battle for several years. The graffiti goes up and city tries to paint over it. Unfortunately, the city seems to be falling behind. For the most part in previous years, Phoenix was able to get rid of graffiti in 48 hours. I am now seeing the same graffiti for weeks.

This is the kind of butter and butter issue that government needs to address and quickly. Studies have shown for sometime that one way to combat violent crime and property crime is to avoid blight. Well, this is a reelection year for the Phoenix Mayor and City Council, what is your plan? How do we address this issue before it gets worse?