Report shows progressive law enforcement measures are not linked to higher crime rates – JURIST

In a report released Wednesday, U.S. legal think tank Brennan Center said there is no connection between progressive law enforcement policies and rising crime rates.

The report found no connection between progressive prosecutors and higher crime rates. Additionally, the report suggests that in the brief cases where the data diverge, crime rates generally appear to be somewhat lower under progressive regimes. This refuted the theory that crime increases or is even higher in jurisdictions with reform-friendly prosecutors.

By comparing crime statistics from 38 U.S. cities since 2018, the center examined the impact of progressive or “reformist” law enforcement policies on national and local crime rates. Prosecutors who were classified as “reform-friendly” were those who implemented measures such as diversion from the criminal justice systemincreased police accountability, use of data to mitigate racial bias, limits on excessive sentences, review of wrongful conviction claims, and restrictions on the use of bail. As the report explained:

[T]These prosecutors bring many different approaches to their work. They span the entire political spectrum and can be found in both urban and rural areas… [W]To indicate this, we use the term “pro-reform prosecutors.” [those] who have advocated or pledged to redefine the role of their office to largely reduce unfair inequities in the justice system and reduce unnecessary incarceration.

Researchers compared crime rates in cities that implemented pro-reform policies with those in cities that did not. The report compared statewide crime trends between these groups in general and also compared individual cities with general trends between comparison cities.

In addition, the report examined crime statistics in cities that recently installed a reform-minded prosecutor to determine whether there were isolated changes in crime rates.

The researchers acknowledge other studies that have examined the impact of these policies on crime. While most come to similar conclusions, some have noted exceptions. Notably, another recent study found that while pro-reform policies had no effect on violent crime, property crimes increased slightly after the introduction of progressive prosecutors.

The report finds that prosecutorial discretion plays an important role in implementing progressive criminal policy. Many progressive prosecutors have chosen not to prosecute certain minor crimes. Researchers highlight steps taken in Boston, Baltimore, Chicago and St. Paul to limit prosecutions for crimes that have no impact on public safety. The report argued that this non-prosecution policy had produced positive results, citing a recent paper from the University of Toronto.

The researchers also emphasize the logic of their findings and the reasons why these progressive measures may have little impact on crime rates:

Prosecutors do not reduce crime on their own. Prosecutors, by nature, take on a reactive role; Their role is primarily to prosecute crimes after they occur. Successful crime prevention strategies require, among other things, the input of community members, law enforcement, social service providers, elected officials, and religious groups, all working together to improve public safety.