Welcome to the America’s Criminologist Podcast for October 25, 2024. This is Dr Currie Myers with some interesting criminal justice news and events that have occurred in the United States recently. My Podcast is brought to you by the Howard Wagyu Ranch. Raised on a family ranch in Central Kansas, Howard Wagyu serves Wagyu beef with the highest quality and excellence. Just go to their Facebook Page and go to Howard Wagyu!
My new book, “The Advent of Feral Man” is now available on Substack drcurriemyers.substack.com for all paid subscribers. In this book, I present compelling evidence that within the last decade, America is going into a quick decent into the “wilding” of human beings. A phenomenon that is perpetuated by the lack of faith, family, and formation in our human development. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
This week I was the guest-host on the Lou Desmond Show on KMET in San Bernardino in which our guest was Dan Dow, District Attorney of San Luis Obispo County California. On the show we discussed the disastrous consequences of Proposition 47 on California, now ten years in the works. Crime is rampant at all levels, there is virtually no consequences of criminals as a result of their behaviors and homelessness is like a Third World, Research shows that nearly 88% of the current homeless population is not due to being out of work but having significant mental health issues and drug and alcohol dependence. Prop 47 took away the opportunity for prosecutors and judges to have mandatory jail, mental health treatment and/or drug treatment as an option for being arrested. Homelessness today is really about criminal vagrancy and not being homeless. What’s the solution? It is supporting Proposition 36 which will give law enforcement, prosecutors and judges back some meat in holding people accountable for their actions and ensuring that those that need treatment get that treatment.
Audio courtesy of KMET San Bernardino, CA.
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Okay, here are my pressing issues this week that I have offered an opinion on as an applied criminologist, ethicist and career law enforcement officer at the local, state, and federal level:
One of the key talking points among progressives in recent years is that firearms have become the leading cause of death among children in the United States. This claim has been heavily cited from reports such as the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions' "A Year in Review: 2020 Gun Deaths in the U.S." The report, which draws from data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), concludes that gun violence was the primary cause of death for individuals under the age of 25, particularly those aged 1 to 19 years.
To provide a clearer, more current understanding of this issue, I reviewed firearm statistics using the CDC's WISQARS tool, which reports that in 2022, firearm-related injuries remained the leading cause of death for individuals aged 1-19, surpassing other causes such as car accidents. These also concludes that deaths are primarily driven by homicides and suicides. This underscores that firearm violence continues to have a significant impact on mortality in the 1 to 19 years of age range. Or does it? Remember the famous quotes regarding statistics:
“There are three types of lies -- lies, damn lies, and statistics.”
― Benjamin Disraeli
How the CDC’s statistics are framed raises questions about how the government and researchers has decided to define “children” and the accuracy of these claims. Anti-gun activists often frame the data in a way that suggests young children of all ages are overwhelmingly being killed by firearms in America, which does occur, but is not a major factor in overall child mortality. The inclusion of 18- and 19-year-olds, who are legally considered adults, significantly skews the data. When those older teens are included, it inflates the numbers of firearm deaths in what is presented as "children," leading to a misleading conclusion. This paints a different picture, one in which violent deaths among teenagers, particularly in urban areas, are contributing more heavily to these statistics than deaths among younger children.
This distinction highlights the importance of looking beyond surface-level statistics to understand the true drivers of firearm-related deaths and how age-specific factors play a significant role.
Misrepresenting the Definition of "Children"
At the heart of the issue lies the CDC's categorization of 18- and 19-year-olds as children when reporting firearm deaths. This arbitrary classification inflates the numbers and presents a misleading narrative. It is important to remember that in the U.S., 18- and 19-year-olds are legally considered adults. While firearm deaths among this age group are deeply troubling, they often occur in very different contexts compared to younger children. A significant proportion of these deaths are associated with criminal activity and gang violence in urban areas, which primarily affect older teens and young adults. Including these deaths in the overall child mortality data distorts the true picture of firearm risks for children under the age of 18. And despite what the media and federal statistics say, violent crime is going up, therefore one would assume that violent crime involving young men would be going up as well. Especially since the facts support that the majority of crime is committed by persons, particularly males, between the ages of 17-29.
This manipulation of data to include adults in statistics about child mortality is a classic case of statistical sleight of hand, one that detracts from more meaningful discussions about the actual risks that firearms pose to children.
Mortality Among Children Under 16: The Real Causes
When the data is correctly adjusted to examine children under the age of 16, the picture changes significantly. The CDC data for children under this age group shows that accidents, particularly motor vehicle accidents, remain a leading cause of death, far surpassing firearm-related fatalities. Other common causes include drowning, suffocation, and health-related complications like cancer and congenital disorders.
As a result, the data supports that motor vehicle accidents and other accidents among children under the age of 16 as well as health-related issues still account for a substantial portion of deaths in this age group, highlighting the need for more attention to healthcare and accident prevention, not restrictions on the Second Amendment.
The Impact of Urban Crime on Teenagers
While firearm deaths are not the leading cause of mortality for younger children, the trend changes dramatically when looking at older teens, particularly those living in urban environments. It is no coincidence that the rise in violent crime in many cities aligns with the increase in gun-related deaths among teenagers aged 17 to 19. A significant portion of these deaths can be attributed to criminal activity, gang violence, and drug-related shootings in urban areas. These issues disproportionately affect communities of color, particularly Black and Hispanic teenagers, due to a combination of socioeconomic factors, lack of effective law enforcement due to the police defund movement, and the breakdown of social structures in many inner-city neighborhoods.
According to CDC data, Black late-adolescents and young adults, ages 17-19, are far more likely to die from gun-related violence compared to their White counterparts. In 2020, the rate of firearm deaths among Black children and teens aged 1 to 19 was over 10 times higher than that of White children in the same age group. There is no doubt that that number holds true today or has increased as associated with the increases in violent crime. The real drivers behind the increase in firearm deaths among teenagers are tied to the breakdown of social control mechanisms, including the erosion of faith, family structures—particularly the absence of fathers—and the lack of formation through positive role models. This is one reason black and black violent crime averages around 70% and why the murder rate among blacks is 653% higher than the murder rate for whites. Additionally, we must also account for a criminal justice system that has become increasingly lenient in prosecuting violent offenders and improper use of cashless bail, which has specifically damaged communities of color and increase recidivism rates 10-15% above the national average for violent offenders of 63-65%.
Progressive policies, particularly in cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, have been criticized for their soft-on-crime approach. These policies prioritize reducing incarceration rates and defunding police departments, which have arguably led to an increase in violent crime in urban areas. In cities where law enforcement has been de-prioritized, we have seen a spike in homicides and gun-related violence, particularly among teenagers.
The Need for Targeted Solutions
If we are serious about addressing the rise in gun violence among teenagers, particularly in urban environments, the solution cannot be a blanket approach that focuses solely on firearms. Instead, we must address the root causes of this violence that was previously addressed above. More effective policing (hot-spot), targeted interventions to disrupt gang activity, evidenced-based policing and a stronger justice system that holds violent offenders accountable are necessary components of any serious attempt to reduce gun-related deaths among teenagers. Finally, associating an individual’s bail possibilities with a classification system that looks at distinct factors is extremely important as cashless bail should have never been used uniformly in the criminal justice system.
Additionally, addressing the mental health crisis among teenagers is a critical part of any comprehensive strategy to reduce gun violence. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues have been on the rise among teens, exacerbated by social media, bullying, and the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues can contribute to both suicidal behavior and violence against others, and they must be tackled head-on.
Conclusion: Getting the Data Right
The progressive narrative that firearms are the leading cause of death among children is misleading and based on a flawed interpretation of the data. When we look closely at the real causes of death among children under the age of 18, it becomes clear that congenital abnormalities, car and home accidents, and health-related complications are the leading killers, not firearms. The rise in gun-related deaths among older teens is a separate issue, one that is driven by urban crime and social decay rather than the mere presence of firearms in American homes.
Addressing these problems requires a multifaceted approach that includes stronger law enforcement, community-based interventions, and better mental health care for young people. Finally, as a culture we must embrace a faith life, a strong family life and develop the appropriate formation for our children that fosters values, morality, civility, hard work, and education. Only then can we begin to make meaningful progress in reducing the tragic loss of life among America’s youth.
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My second issues for discussion is the concept of meritocracy—where individuals are hired, promoted, and rewarded based on their skills, qualifications, and performance—has long been the cornerstone of building effective, accountable law enforcement agencies. However, contemporary trends emphasizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have led to a shift in hiring and promotion practices in many police departments across the United States. While diversity and inclusion are important values in any workplace, the abandonment of meritocratic principles in favor of demographic-based hiring and promotions threatens to undermine the quality, effectiveness, and trustworthiness of law enforcement in the long term. By prioritizing characteristics such as race, gender, or other demographic factors over skill and experience, law enforcement agencies run the risk of significantly weakening their operational capacity and damaging public safety.
Declining Competency in Law Enforcement Recruits
One of the most immediate and concerning consequences of moving away from merit-based hiring is the potential decline in the overall competency of law enforcement personnel. Traditionally, police departments have placed high importance on rigorous hiring standards to ensure that new recruits are adequately prepared for the demands of the job. These standards typically include physical fitness benchmarks, psychological evaluations, educational requirements, and comprehensive background checks, all designed to filter out candidates who may be unfit for the challenges and responsibilities of policing.
In the face of increasing labor shortages, negative public perception of law enforcement, and growing pressure to meet DEI goals, many departments have relaxed these criteria. For instance, some agencies have lowered educational requirements, reduced physical fitness thresholds, and placed less emphasis on psychological evaluations to attract a broader pool of applicants. While this may temporarily address staffing shortages, the long-term effects are likely to be detrimental.
Lower hiring standards can result in recruits who are less prepared, both physically and mentally, to handle high-stress situations such as de-escalating violent encounters or making critical decisions under pressure. When officers lack the necessary training or emotional stability, they are more prone to making mistakes—sometimes with deadly consequences. Additionally, as incidents of excessive force or improper conduct rise due to poorly trained officers, public trust in law enforcement diminishes even further, exacerbating already strained relationships between communities and police.
Increased Risk of Misconduct and Corruption
One of the primary purposes of maintaining high standards in law enforcement hiring is to ensure that individuals of the highest ethical and professional character are selected to serve. By lowering standards in the name of diversity, police departments run the risk of recruiting individuals with past criminal histories, questionable ethical backgrounds, or unstable personalities who would normally be filtered out by more stringent screening processes.
When merit-based criteria such as background checks or psychological evaluations are relaxed, it creates an environment in which misconduct becomes more likely. Officers who may lack the ethical fortitude to manage the power and responsibility that come with the badge could engage in behaviors that undermine the integrity of the department. Increased incidents of corruption, racial bias, and misuse of authority could follow, making it more difficult to hold officers accountable. This not only damages the public perception of law enforcement but also puts the safety of communities at risk, as officers who are less disciplined may engage in reckless or unjust behavior.
Lowering Morale Among Veteran Officers
One of the most overlooked but significant consequences of abandoning merit-based hiring and promotion is the effect it has on morale among veteran officers. Law enforcement professionals who have spent years honing their skills, building their careers, and demonstrating their competence through hard work and dedication often expect their efforts to be recognized through merit-based promotions and assignments.
When DEI initiatives prioritize demographic factors over performance, many veteran officers may feel alienated or undervalued. This can lead to a decline in morale, as these seasoned officers see less-qualified individuals being promoted based on factors unrelated to job performance. Over time, this sentiment can breed resentment and disengagement within the department, which in turn may increase turnover rates, particularly among the most experienced and capable officers.
The consequences of this cannot be understated. Law enforcement agencies rely heavily on the experience and leadership of senior officers to mentor younger recruits, guide tactical decision-making, and set the tone for professionalism within the department. As more veteran officers leave the force, departments may find themselves facing a leadership vacuum and a workforce that lacks the guidance and expertise necessary to maintain operational effectiveness.
Public Safety at Risk: Incompetent Leadership and Poor Decision-Making
Lower hiring standards and promotion practices that do not emphasize merit have a direct impact on public safety, particularly when individuals who are underqualified or underprepared are promoted into leadership positions. Effective law enforcement leadership requires not only administrative skills but also field experience, decision-making capabilities under duress, and the respect of the officers they command.
When leadership positions are filled based on demographic criteria rather than proven merit, the risk of ineffective management grows. In critical situations—whether they involve tactical responses, public safety emergencies, or internal department crises—poor leadership can result in delayed or incorrect decision-making, which directly affects the safety and security of the public. Ineffective leaders may fail to enforce proper protocols, oversee training adequately, or hold their officers accountable for misconduct, all of which contribute to the degradation of policing standards.
Moreover, the public is keenly aware when leadership positions are filled by individuals who may not possess the skills or qualifications to lead effectively. This further erodes public trust, creating a perception that law enforcement agencies are prioritizing optics over effectiveness, which can have long-term negative implications for community relations.
Erosion of Accountability and Performance Standards
In any profession, meritocracy is crucial for maintaining a culture of accountability. When performance and skill are the primary determinants of hiring and promotion, individuals are motivated to excel because they know their hard work will be rewarded. In contrast, when demographic characteristics become the focal point of career progression, accountability for mediocre performance or misconduct can become diluted.
For example, officers who are promoted based on DEI criteria rather than their qualifications may not feel the same pressure to uphold high standards of performance, knowing that their promotion was not strictly linked to merit. This creates a dangerous precedent where substandard performance may become more acceptable within the organization, leading to an overall decline in the effectiveness of the department.
Furthermore, lowering hiring standards can create a revolving door of recruits who are unprepared for the rigors of the job, requiring constant retraining and supervision. This places additional strain on police academies and field training programs, diverting resources away from more crucial areas of development. Over time, the erosion of these performance standards results in a weakened force that is less capable of responding to the complexities of modern policing.
Public Trust and Perception: A Lasting Impact
One of the most harmful consequences of removing meritocracy from hiring and promotion practices is the long-term erosion of public trust in law enforcement. The public expects officers to be competent, ethical, and fair in their application of the law. When the focus shifts from hiring the best individuals for the job to filling quotas based on race, gender, or other characteristics, the public may begin to question whether officers are uniquely qualified to protect and serve their communities.
In many cases, this erosion of trust has already begun to manifest. Communities, particularly those that have experienced negative encounters with law enforcement, may be skeptical of officers’ ability to carry out their duties effectively and fairly if they believe the department’s hiring and promotion practices are politically motivated rather than based on merit. This skepticism can make it more difficult for law enforcement to build positive relationships with the public, reducing cooperation in investigations, community policing initiatives, and overall efforts to maintain safety.
Conclusion: The Importance of Restoring Merit in Law Enforcement
While diversity and inclusion are important goals in any organization, abandoning meritocratic principles in law enforcement hiring and promotions poses serious risks to the competency, effectiveness, and trustworthiness of police agencies. By prioritizing demographic characteristics over qualifications, skills, and performance, law enforcement agencies risk diminishing public safety, eroding internal accountability, and weakening public trust.
As law enforcement agencies across the country face growing pressure to adopt DEI-focused policies, it is crucial that these departments strike a balance between promoting diversity and maintaining high standards for hiring and promotions. Rather than compromising on the meritocratic principles that ensure the quality and effectiveness of law enforcement, agencies must find ways to recruit and promote individuals based on both their qualifications and their commitment to ethical, professional policing. Only by doing so can they safeguard the future of public safety and uphold the integrity of law enforcement in a changing world.
Okay here is my five-minute blitz on CJ News and Information for this week!
The Department of Homeland Security has reportedly identified more than 600 immigrants currently in the United States who have possible ties to Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang. “All individuals confirmed or suspected to be gang members are referred for criminal prosecution or detained and placed into expedited removal,” the DHS spokesperson added. However, the data revealed that fewer than 5% of the 600 individuals identified by the DHS are in federal custody with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That number is quite disturbing in itself. However, its worse as Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI assistant director for counterintelligence and an NBC News contributor, called the DHS’ discovery of 600 immigrants with possible ties to TDA “almost disturbingly low. It should be higher.” The border issue is the #1 most significant Criminogenic problem in America today. And what I mean by criminogenic are needs that can be defined by the characteristics, traits, problems, or issues an individual faces that are directly related to their likelihood of offending or reoffending.
A whistleblower within the General Services Administration (GSA) has exposed a $347 million contract awarded to transport unaccompanied minors across the United States. GSA contract Specialist Clarissa Rippee revealed details of the contract after raising concerns about how the children are being treated during their transportation. Red Voice Media reported that Rippee told James O’Keefe of the O’Keefe Media Group that her decision to speak out was based on the nature of the contract. This is the biggest scandal of them all. Why? It is no secret that sex slavery is a huge business and there is no doubt that many of these kids will end up involved in the sex slave criminal organizations supporting the increase in pedophilia (pre-pubescent children) and hebephilia (pubescent children) in our country. Not to mention, slave labor and the black market for adopted children. The majority of human trafficking victims are involved in forced labor. Labor trafficking involves the use of fraud, coercion, or force in order to get a victim to provide labor or services. More than two-thirds of trafficking victims fall into this category, including more than 10 million adults and nearly 4 million children (27%).
Uber-progressive LA County DA George Gascon this afternoon is seeking a re-sentencing for the Menedez brothers who were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for the shotgun murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Now, in theory, Erik and Lyle Menendez could be out by Christmas. While Gascon said he “disapproved” of the way the brothers handled their response to the alleged abuse at the hand of Jose, he decided to move forward with the re-sentencing request because he saw them as model, rehabilitated prisoners who have “paid their dues” for the killings. Gascon admitted that there was a difference of opinion in his office and that many deputy district attorneys and others “do not believe” the brothers were actually molested.
And finally, Timothy Vincent Lincoln, a 42-year-old man from Buras, Louisiana, always had a flair for the dramatic. But this time, his theatrics went a little too far. After allegedly threatening to blow up an Ulta Beauty store in Opelika, Alabama, Timothy found himself in hot water—and not the kind you’d use to relax in after a long day of, say, not making terroristic threats. Authorities nabbed him swiftly, but by the time his mug shot was taken, something extraordinary had happened. Timothy, ever the artist at heart, somehow got ahold of markers, crayons, or maybe just some really vibrant dreams. His face was a canvas of chaotic creativity—bright blue splashed across his beard and nose, with wild red lines crisscrossing his cheeks. And for the pièce de résistance, a bold dark line sliced right across his forehead, giving him the appearance of a modern-day Picasso, if Picasso had painted self-portraits during his finger-painting phase. As Timothy posed for the mugshot, proudly displaying his masterpiece, the officers couldn’t help but wonder what his plan had been. Maybe he thought they’d confuse him for a lost coloring book character and let him go? But, alas, they booked him anyway. In the end, the only thing Timothy blew up was his own dignity. Sometimes, it’s best to leave the makeup to the professionals. Good day!
This is Dr Currie Myers, America’s Criminologist. To view my work please visit drcurriemyers.substack.com and please share and like our page! And please remember my friends at Howard Wagyu for some of the best beef in America. Howard Wagyu, Kansas homegrown Wagyu Beef so tender you can cut your steak with a fork!
Stay safe and have a great weekend!
Dr C
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America’s Criminologist Podcast for October 25, 2024