COVID-19 Fraud Prosecutions, and the Broken Windows Policy

At least someone in Baltimore is taking violent crime seriously. Exclusive: Homicides drop linked to COVID-19 fraud prosecutions

Maryland U.S. Attorney Erek Barron told the 11 News I-Team that his office found that 60% of violent criminals are also committing some type of COVID-19 fraud, and because of that, his office investigates every single violent crime target to see whether they've committed pandemic fraud.

Since the pandemic relief fund came from Washington, fraud against that fund is a federal offense.

The U.S. Attorney goes on to make a claim that I don't know is completely supported by the facts, but he probably has contributed to the reduction in violent crime by taking violent criminals off the street.

There is more on pandemic fraud and reference to vehicle thefts.

Hat tip goes to The Other McCain and A New ‘Broken Windows’ Discovery? Violence Linked to COVID Relief Fraud.

This illustrates something about the “broken windows” theory of crime prevention pioneered by George Kelling and James Q. Wilson: Criminals are not specialists. That is to say, the drug dealer is often also the rapist, and the car thief is also often the armed robber. Habitual criminals have a general disposition toward lawlessness and antisocial behavior.

There is more about Bill Bratton and enforcing laws in NYC, and proverbial "routine traffic stop" that results in an arrest for a far more serious crime. Click thru for more.