The biggest observation over the last few years is that the crime rate in New York City has fallen. Unbelievably, the New York Post reports that aggressive policing can also lower prison population. This certainly does not seem obvious, but studies have shown that New York State’s prison population has fallen and yet we’ve all heard the crime in New York City has also dropped.
The cause for this unusual result was found in a study sponsored by the JFA Institute, The Brennan Center for Justice and the Vera Institute of Justice. The study found that due to the fact that NYPD has been focusing on the misdemeanor crimes, there has been an overall rise in arrests, but felony arrests have fallen and these are the crimes that have penalties in state prison.
There has been much criticism of NYPD’s “stop, question and frisk” policy and the study does not necessarily endorse that policy. The results do show though that concentrating on criminal activities in their earlier stage, the misdemeanor. Therefore, misdemeanor entry to Rikers Island has increased in the last 20 years, but felony entries have been fewer.
Another result that this study revealed is that the length of State prison sentences were longer and New York might possibly lead the whole country in length of incarceration. The final outcome of this research is that the stronger NYPD presence has revitalized the city.
While this is the result of the study, not everyone agrees with aggressive policing and Legal Services and defense attorneys have had complaints against overaggressive policing like the “stop and frisk” activity and the possible effect on personal liberties and constitutional rights. Anyone that feels they have been unjustly treated by the police may want to speak to a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
The Bukh Law Firm, PC is experienced in criminal law and available 24 hours, every day.
