This is the kind of reactionary decision-making process that leads to poor policy. This is a complex problem and the solution will not be simple, but probably complex.
Also, as human beings we always want to find a solution. Sometimes, there's just sick people who can't be helped and the crime could not have reasonably been avoided. Life doesn't always make sense. Some decisions people make are irrational.
I'm not saying that's the case here, as it may have been preventable if the facts suggest so, but it is too early to say and too early to conclude the problem was nearby homeless camps that need to be bulldozed. Your suggestion implies bulldozing them would have prevented this crime.
Regardless, so, so sad and tragic. Heartbreaking.
No doubt this is right, but something like this makes me so mad that I go through some probably irrational thoughts.
- I get tired of the mentally ill defense with violent crimes. As far as I'm concerned, any person that can commit some crimes like this is mentally ill to some extent. Mentally healthy people don't do that to another human being
- Sure bulldozing the encampment doesn't solve any root causes, but I think it is fair to question why the city/LE would let a group of people who are going to be more prone to drug/alcohol consumption, mental health issues, and potential for violence squat and concentrate in an area, particularly one that is relatively secluded yet adjacent to areas frequented by people, jogging/biking trails. Does it prevent something like this? Doubt it, but I do think there is a danger in allowing an encampment.
-There are two basic sides to both the incarceration and forcible commitment for mental health issues. One is the punishment/rehabilitation (incarceration) and treatment (mental health) side. That seems to get a bulk of the attention and drive decisions. Public safety is not taken into consideration enough in my opinion in theses cases. It is not someone's fault if they have a severe mental health issue that makes them dangerous to society. They still need to be committed for the sake of public safety.
-True, this guys rap sheet isn't filled with acts that come close to something this awful, but at some point it becomes clear that a POS like this has no interest in ever abiding by the law or being anything but a danger and a drag on society. Sentence him based on this, which should be obvious.
-Mental health funding - it's been covered well here.
-Prison overcrowding - as most have said, some prison sentences for non-violent offenses need to be abolished. As for the violent offenders and overcrowding, who gives a ****? Five of pieces of trash like this in an 8'x8' cell with two bunks works for me.
I know some of this may be irrational, but I think many of us are just so pissed off right now it helps to try to reach for anything that can be done.
