Crime Theory

Heather Mac Donald wrote a wonderful article in Wall Street Journal titled A Crime Theory Demolished. Her position is that law enforcement brings down crime, not social welfare programs. The second, and I believe erroneous idea, comes from a Robin Hood position that poor people need to and should take from the rich, thus the raise in crime. So they think the answer is to make people less poor by the government giving them money so they don't have to steel it. (Another Robin Hood notion only this time Robin is dressed in legislative garb.)

This is a vital argument in light of the problems in Haiti. The rule of law has been almost non-existent there. When the US hit the ground with food and medical help, it was not only the mess made by the earthquake they had to overcome in order to get aid into hungry hands. I heard of a man hitting a woman and steeling the recently received food from her arms. I heard of US forces giving out care packages on a golf course but only allowing women and children in to pick it up knowing they wouldn't receive it otherwise.

How do we help Haiti without first locking up a large portion of it's population? The earthquake exacerbated an already huge problem. But when things are so shaken up, fundamental reform can happen if we are willing to step on the toes of a corrupt and ineffective government. The problem I would like to see solved is "How might we best paralyze a criminal population so Haitians can prosper under the Rule of Law?

1. The LDS church found an interesting solution. They provided safety within the walls and on the grounds of the nine meeting houses in Port-au-Prince.

2. Stick enforcement of NYC's "Brocken Window" policies.

3. Put criminals to work rebuilding the city.

4. Find an carismatic Hatian leader that is honest to the core then protect him/her.

5. Provide safe boarding schools for children until the streets are safer.

6. Encourage a system of US host families for semester abroad elementary students until homes are rebuilt.

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 (See also the #7 solution to the "Haitian Boat Crash" post.)