Tag Archives: crime

ABRACADABRA! Or Notes on the War on Crime, Redux

In 1989 I wrote an award-winning essay, “ABRACADABRA! Or Notes on the War on Crime.” In it I mentioned those magic words crimefighting politicians would utter as the solution to the “crime problem”: “more police, more prisons, longer prison terms.” … Continue reading

Posted in crime, Justice Chronicles, Martin Luther King, police-involved killing, Politics, race, raising black boys, Streets of Rage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Latter-Day Heroes and the Drug War

There was a time when heroes Died on Holy Quests Nowadays they die For meaningless drug arrests Just fulfill the quota Undercover in the field “Buy and bust” the mission Awarded the Gold Shield Quasi-military honors If in battle die … Continue reading

Posted in Commissioner Broken Windows, Commissioner William Bratton, crime, Justice Chronicles, Mayor Bill de Blasio, NYPD, Poetry, Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats, urban decay, Urban Impact | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment