• isles@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    We’ve deprived these people of resources, but I can’t figure out why they keep stealing stuff. We probably need more police, more for-profit prisons, and more laws and regulations. That’s always fixed it in the past.

    • illah@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It’s noble to work on addressing systemic inequities that lead to poverty and seeing crime as an option. At the same time, nobody who is an active criminal today is going to stop if you offer them a job at fedex.

      Everyone from the Oakland NAACP to small business owners to individual victims (the majority of which are BIPOC) are calling on Oakland to get things under control. Enforcement is needed today, investment is needed for tomorrow. It’s not an either/or situation.

      It’s also worth highlighting that not everyone who grows up disadvantaged turns to crime. In fact, the huge majority do not. These white guilt arguments are so pejorative and self centered.