2 ms·

Pretty solid take that lines up with my experience as well. That said, cracking down on petty crime would probably resolve most of the anxiety around crime tha

Pretty solid take that lines up with my experience as well. That said, cracking down on petty crime would probably resolve most of the anxiety around crime that (re)surfaced this election cycle. Sensationalist violent crime will always sell, but plenty of people feel and experience petty crime and griminess. Just resolving much of that would help reduce anxiety about crime significantly. Anecdotally, a lot of the swing appeared to have happened in localities where petty crime and griminess increased. It's not a left-right issue either - Dorchester MA is fairly grimy and transitional and very blue - just like Hunters Point in SF or much of South/Central Philly, but crime is kept fairly down, and cleanliness is maintained.

cj 2y ago
Aren’t nearly all US metros “blue”? Including NYC, Philly, SF? Definitely agree it’s not left/right. If it were, you’d think people living in those places would vote differently. I’ve lived just outside of NYC, for a decade, have also lived in SF for a decade, and tend to agree, “feel safe walking down the street” (aka minimal minor crimes) is key. Last time I was in NYC it wasn’t the immigrants that bothered me. It was the random (non-immigrant homeless drug addict) guy who out of the blue punched me in the arm then ran away while I was in line for a slice of pizza. And the guy touching himself on the sidewalk. That type of everyday “crime” is where I would focus.
- onecommentman 2y ago
  When you put quotes around “crime” when describing an assault, you are part of the normalization of those acts. You aren’t a snowflake if you describe an illegal act against your person, however minor, as a crime. Reminds one of describing vandalism of a car, and subsequent theft as “bipping” — how cute, and inappropriate. Not all crimes are serious crimes, but they are crimes. Helps to get attention and action to address such assaults. Otherwise, well, it’s just a “crime”.

cj 2y ago

Aren’t nearly all US metros “blue”? Including NYC, Philly, SF? Definitely agree it’s not left/right. If it were, you’d think people living in those places would vote differently. I’ve lived just outside of NYC, for a decade, have also lived in SF for a decade, and tend to agree, “feel safe walking down the street” (aka minimal minor crimes) is key. Last time I was in NYC it wasn’t the immigrants that bothered me. It was the random (non-immigrant homeless drug addict) guy who out of the blue punched me in the arm then ran away while I was in line for a slice of pizza. And the guy touching himself on the sidewalk. That type of everyday “crime” is where I would focus.

onecommentman 2y ago
When you put quotes around “crime” when describing an assault, you are part of the normalization of those acts. You aren’t a snowflake if you describe an illegal act against your person, however minor, as a crime. Reminds one of describing vandalism of a car, and subsequent theft as “bipping” — how cute, and inappropriate. Not all crimes are serious crimes, but they are crimes. Helps to get attention and action to address such assaults. Otherwise, well, it’s just a “crime”.