“Soft on Crime”
In discussing how different news networks cover the news, Jen Psaki, former Press Secretary to Joe Biden, made this comment: “And then on Fox, Jeanine Pirro [is] talking about ‘soft-on-crime consequences,’” she said, laughing. “I mean, what does that even mean, right?” It’s interesting that she thinks this is a humorous topic. It is doubtful that those who have lost loved ones because of “soft on crime” policies would think the topic is nearly as amusing as Psaki does.
In fact, in Los Angeles, at the current time, the voters are trying to recall District Attorney George Gascon precisely because of his “soft on crime” policies. According to the June 16th Los Angeles Times, Justin Flores, 35, died in a June 14th confrontation with police. That event also left two police officers dead. They should still both be alive because Flores was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and methamphetamine when he was arrested by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in 2020. When the case reached court in 2021, “Flores pleaded no contest to being a felon in possession of a firearm…and prosecutors agreed to drop all other charges, records show.” He could have (and should have) been imprisoned for 3 years. But because of the policies of the D. A.’s office, he was given less than 3 weeks in jail and 2 years’ probation. Seriously?
The two slain policemen left behind a total of 5 children. Is Jen Psaki still smiling? The people of Los Angeles are not, and chances are some of them can inform her from firsthand experience what “soft on crime” means if she still doesn’t get it. It means putting felons back on the street (or not incarcerating them in the first place) in clear violation of the law. In this instance, a felon carrying a gun is required to spend 3 years in prison. Due to liberal (“soft on crime”) policies, he served only 20 days. If the law had been enforced instead of ignored, the five children of the two police officers would still have fathers.
Three thousand years ago, the wise man Solomon wrote: “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ecc. 8:11). Criminals, when left unpunished, become emboldened to commit even more crimes; those viewing them elude justice will be encouraged to commit evil acts of their own. God gave authority to civil government to take care of these matters (Rom. 13:1-7); citizens have no authority to take the law into their own hands to administer justice. Only the state has the authority to do so; “he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Rom. 13:4). Officials should not shirk their God-given responsibilities. One thing is certain: those losing loved ones due to “soft on crime” policies do not think it is a laughing matter.