The Hennepin County prosecutor has never hidden her activism. Supported by many, there is a view that African American youth are incarcerated too quickly, and too young, which destines them to a life of crime and prison. And holding good to her beliefs, following her election last fall, her office has been extemely light handed in pursuing this group with legal action.
The thing is, the results have been problematic. My son lives down by the U an area fraught frequent and sometimes violent criminal activity. He said the best story he’s heard so far is a kid getting taken in for a mugging only to be arrested a second time, for the same crime, later in the evening. Once released on the first charge he didn’t go home and think through life decisions. The police are busy apprehending the same youth twice in the same night for the same crime.
Needless to say after hundreds of reports of cars filled with youths as young as twelve joyriding, even the most forgiving citizens are coming to the realization that no response to crime except ‘we believe in you’ and back out on the street you go, is not generating a beneficial outcome. At a news conference few days ago, the county prosecuter announced several collaborations to put a good face on further efforts.
The collaboration with law enforcement has three parts, including meetings in which agencies will come together to identify youth in need of intervention. Social workers will also be in contact with families to connect them with needed services. Families that accept services will be connected to the county’s Family Response and Stabilization Services, along with school-based and community resources, the HCAO says.
MSN
My only question is what does this have to do with the prosecutor’s office? Isn’t it their job to make a case against criminals according to the law and fulfill their obligations to the public whom they serve? The job of connecting people with social service resources and other response services in the event of mental crises etc is fulfilled through another county department. If you want to work in the social service side of public service, then work there. Be successful there. Reach out and make a difference in people’s lives in that capacity.
As of right now, the results are in. Not prosecuting criminals is encouraging a life of crime not discouraging it.
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