DANGER: The Devastating Consequences of Failure to Incarcerate Violent Criminals
/By: Joel E. Gordon
In a world where safety and security should be paramount, the failure to incarcerate violent criminals can have devastating consequences. When individuals who have committed serious offenses are allowed to roam free, it not only puts innocent lives at risk but also undermines the very foundation of justice and law enforcement. The perplexing question that arises is: why are some violent criminals not held accountable for their actions?
The frequency of violence, characterized by sudden and unpredictable outbursts of criminal behavior, poses a significant challenge to law enforcement and society as a whole. When violent offenders are not appropriately dealt with through incarceration, the potential for further harm and chaos only increases. This creates a sense of unease and insecurity that pervades communities and erodes trust in the justice system.
The failure to incarcerate violent criminals is a pressing issue that has long demanded attention and action. The recent tragic and preventable death of 31-year-old NYPD police officer Jonathan Diller who was murdered by a convicted felon with an arrest record including 21 prior arrests demonstrates the danger first responders’ face in dealing with the same violent people over and over again when our system of “justice” fails to incarcerate.
Unfortunately, this is not new. In my past experience in the mid 1980’s I was nearly stabbed. The call came out for a domestic assault just occurred in an apartment complex. I responded and upon my arrival was met by a female who had been kicked in the abdomen by her boyfriend who had left the apartment. While waiting for an ambulance to arrive and taking information and statements for my investigative report inside of the apartment, the boyfriend/suspect climbed onto the apartment balcony. I stood between the victim and the suspect. The man slid open the unlocked sliding glass doors and came toward me. I saw that he was reaching for a knife that was tucked in his waistband.
I called a “Signal 13” (officer in need of assistance) on myself; my one and only time to have ever done this. No one heard me at first because I was in a largely “dead” spot for radio transmissions. I was able to disarm the suspect at close range and affect the arrest although being resisted aggressively. Finally with the situation under control, I was able to get my request for a paddy wagon out. Back up also finally arrived.
A records check of the suspect that I had just arrested revealed a lengthy criminal record. A
“rap sheet” that extended from ceiling to floor when unfolded including numerous assaults on
police officers in both Baltimore and Washington D.C. and yet he was out in society as a free man.
The charges that were levied reflected that the suspect had assaulted his girlfriend, intended to stab me with the knife he was carrying, and that he subsequently broke a toilet in the cell block for a destruction of property charge.
At trial he received ninety days for assaulting his girlfriend. Thirty days for breaking the toilet consecutive to the ninety days for a one-hundred-twenty day total. Thirty days for attempting to stab me, concurrent to the thirty days for breaking the toilet. No extra time, at all, for intending to stab me and put me in fear for my life. The Assistant State’s Attorney actually turned to me in front of the packed open courtroom and said to me in front of the judge, “Officer isn’t it nice to know you’re worth as much as a toilet?”
Two weeks later the convicted defendant was somehow already, once again, released from jail and threw another officer down a flight of stairs on a subsequent call for service causing injury.
Another vivid example of how incarceration should have served not only as a means of punishment but also as a crucial tool for accountability and deterrence. When violent criminals are swiftly and decisively dealt with through imprisonment, it sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. This also acts as a deterrent to others who may be contemplating similar acts of violence, thereby helping to keep our law enforcement officers and communities more safe and secure.
Failure to incarcerate violent criminals often leads to a cascade of negative consequences. From emboldening offenders to commit more brazen acts to instilling fear and anxiety in law-abiding citizens, the repercussions are far-reaching. Furthermore, the lack of consequences for criminal behavior can contribute to a cycle of violence and recidivism, perpetuating a cycle of harm and suffering.
By recognizing the importance of accountability, deterrence, and public safety, we can work towards a society where justice is served, and our first responders and communities are protected from preventable harm. It is imperative that we address this issue with urgency and resolve, ensuring that violent offenders are held accountable for their actions and that the safety and well-being for us all are rightfully prioritized.
Joel E. Gordon, Managing Editor of BLUE Magazine, is a former Field Training Officer with the Baltimore City Police Department and is a past Chief of Police for the city of Kingwood, West Virginia. He has also served as vice-chair of a multi-jurisdictional regional narcotics task force. An award winning journalist, he is author of the book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer's Story and founded the Facebook group Police Authors Seeking Justice. Look him up at stillseekingjustice.com
