Penalties Down, Crime Up

The Los Angeles Times carries an Associated Press report with this intriguing title:

Thefts rise after California reduces criminal penalties 

It continues:

California voters' decision to reduce penalties for drug and property crimes in 2014 contributed to a jump in car burglaries, shoplifting and other theft, researchers reported.

Larcenies increased about 9% by 2016, or about 135 more thefts per 100,000 residents than if tougher penalties had remained, according to results of a study by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California released Tuesday.

I hope this doesn't surprise you, what else would a sensible person expect? Keep this demonstrated relationship in mind when advising your representative in Congress how you wish them to vote on "sentencing reform," which aims to reduce sentences for federal offenses.

The "incarceration problem" we have is one of insufficiency, not excess. The science is settled. Hat tip to Lucianne.com for the link.