Steve Smith

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Read about latest bill to undermine public safety

SB 94 – Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics – Murderers do not “Age Out”

They received those sentences because their crimes are uniquely heinous and include one or more factors known as “special circumstances” that can include, the murder of public safety officers or officials, murders for financial gain, the use of torture, murders of multiple victims, prior convictions for murder, the use of ...
Blog

Read latest on California's growing crime problem

Murders are up – We’re just dying less.

Writing for The Atlantic recently, Jeff Asher predicted that, “The United States may be experiencing one of the largest annual percent changes in murder ever recorded, according to my preliminary data.” That’s a bold statement and will undoubtedly be used to evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice policies around the ...
Commentary

Read the latest debate on body-worn cameras

On body-worn cameras and license plate readers, there should be a reasonable expectation of privacy

On June 9, a gunman opened fire on people attending a community block party in the Mission District of San Francisco.  The shots hit nine people – five of them seriously.   It was one of over 550 gun-related incidents so far recorded in San Francisco this year that has ...
Blog

Read about Pamela Price controversy

Pamela Price Gets it Wrong

Oakland’s social, economic, and criminal justice challenges are well known.  Lost jobs, expensive housing, poor performing schools, and a crime problem that exceeds neighboring cities are constant challenges. However, a recent surge in crime shows violent crime is up 14 percent, rapes are up 18 percent, robberies are up 18 ...
Blog

Read about Van Houten parole controversy

Leslie Van Houten Parole Was a Tragic Mistake

Leslie Van Houten, the Manson family member, and convicted murderer, has seen her long road to release become front page news all over the world.  Her parole had been denied multiple times during her 51 years of incarceration for her role in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca on ...
Blog

Crimes, Punishment, and Parole – Mass Releases and Mass Victimization

The use of the term “mass incarceration” is widely accepted to define the United States rate of incarceration in comparison to other countries.  According to prisonpolicy.org, the US rate of incarceration is 664 per 100,000 population.  In California, the rate was 549/100,000, which ranks 33 out of the 50 states. ...
Blog

The Starbucks Index Shows California’s Growing Urban Crime Problem

For anyone who’s visited or lived in the American South, the much-loved Waffle House is everywhere.  Open 24 hours, the Waffle House is known for its good service and consistent if not perhaps gourmet offerings. Of course, breakfast is served all day (and night). There are 1,981 Waffle Houses in ...
Blog

Read the concerning numbers in the 2022 Crime in California report

California’s 2022 Annual Crime Statistics Released – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

On June 30th, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released his 2022 Crime in California report as well as several other mandated statistical reports covering hate crimes, juvenile justice, and firearms. What the statistics tell us, like they have for the past three years, is that crime continues to rise.  Violent ...
Blog

Learn about CA's retail theft problem

Rampant Thefts – The New Normal

Calvin McDonald, the CEO of Lululemon, the athletic wear brand, took fire recently for terminating two employees who intervened in an organized shoplifting snatch and grab. Known as “educators,” sales staff in Lululemon stores are told not to intervene during a shoplifting incident.  In store video footage, the educators are ...
Blog

Read latest on Titan submarine tragedy

The Loss of the Titan

(Note: PRI senior fellow Steve Smith, a former Coast Guardsman and merchant mariner, shares his thoughts on last week’s Titan submarine tragedy.) Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. ...
Blog

Read about latest bill to undermine public safety

SB 94 – Lies, Damn Lies, and Statistics – Murderers do not “Age Out”

They received those sentences because their crimes are uniquely heinous and include one or more factors known as “special circumstances” that can include, the murder of public safety officers or officials, murders for financial gain, the use of torture, murders of multiple victims, prior convictions for murder, the use of ...
Blog

Read latest on California's growing crime problem

Murders are up – We’re just dying less.

Writing for The Atlantic recently, Jeff Asher predicted that, “The United States may be experiencing one of the largest annual percent changes in murder ever recorded, according to my preliminary data.” That’s a bold statement and will undoubtedly be used to evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice policies around the ...
Commentary

Read the latest debate on body-worn cameras

On body-worn cameras and license plate readers, there should be a reasonable expectation of privacy

On June 9, a gunman opened fire on people attending a community block party in the Mission District of San Francisco.  The shots hit nine people – five of them seriously.   It was one of over 550 gun-related incidents so far recorded in San Francisco this year that has ...
Blog

Read about Pamela Price controversy

Pamela Price Gets it Wrong

Oakland’s social, economic, and criminal justice challenges are well known.  Lost jobs, expensive housing, poor performing schools, and a crime problem that exceeds neighboring cities are constant challenges. However, a recent surge in crime shows violent crime is up 14 percent, rapes are up 18 percent, robberies are up 18 ...
Blog

Read about Van Houten parole controversy

Leslie Van Houten Parole Was a Tragic Mistake

Leslie Van Houten, the Manson family member, and convicted murderer, has seen her long road to release become front page news all over the world.  Her parole had been denied multiple times during her 51 years of incarceration for her role in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca on ...
Blog

Crimes, Punishment, and Parole – Mass Releases and Mass Victimization

The use of the term “mass incarceration” is widely accepted to define the United States rate of incarceration in comparison to other countries.  According to prisonpolicy.org, the US rate of incarceration is 664 per 100,000 population.  In California, the rate was 549/100,000, which ranks 33 out of the 50 states. ...
Blog

The Starbucks Index Shows California’s Growing Urban Crime Problem

For anyone who’s visited or lived in the American South, the much-loved Waffle House is everywhere.  Open 24 hours, the Waffle House is known for its good service and consistent if not perhaps gourmet offerings. Of course, breakfast is served all day (and night). There are 1,981 Waffle Houses in ...
Blog

Read the concerning numbers in the 2022 Crime in California report

California’s 2022 Annual Crime Statistics Released – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

On June 30th, California Attorney General Rob Bonta released his 2022 Crime in California report as well as several other mandated statistical reports covering hate crimes, juvenile justice, and firearms. What the statistics tell us, like they have for the past three years, is that crime continues to rise.  Violent ...
Blog

Learn about CA's retail theft problem

Rampant Thefts – The New Normal

Calvin McDonald, the CEO of Lululemon, the athletic wear brand, took fire recently for terminating two employees who intervened in an organized shoplifting snatch and grab. Known as “educators,” sales staff in Lululemon stores are told not to intervene during a shoplifting incident.  In store video footage, the educators are ...
Blog

Read latest on Titan submarine tragedy

The Loss of the Titan

(Note: PRI senior fellow Steve Smith, a former Coast Guardsman and merchant mariner, shares his thoughts on last week’s Titan submarine tragedy.) Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. ...
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