If you say that you stop punishing certain crimes don't get surprised that some people will go because they won't get punished for that crime. From this exampl

If you say that you stop punishing certain crimes don't get surprised that some people will go because they won't get punished for that crime. From this example alone it's clear that the threat of punishment works. If you want a better way to deter crime, you have my full support. But if you cease an effective measure and delay months before implementing another one, your transition process is none. Imagine if a bank would freeze all your funds just because they're transitioning to a new "better" system. Even for a single week.