Crime and Society Newsletter
America's Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers
Crime, Criminology, and Criminal Justice Podcast for Friday, September 22, 2023
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Crime, Criminology, and Criminal Justice Podcast for Friday, September 22, 2023

Happy Friday, this is Dr. Currie Myers, America’s Criminologist, with this important crime, criminology, and criminal justice update for the week.

This week, I published an Op Ed where I opined about the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, often referred to as 9/11, were a series of coordinated terrorist actions carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda in the United States. On that fateful day, 19 hijackers took control of four commercial airliners, crashing two of them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and another into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to regain control from the hijackers. The events of 9/11 had a profound impact on global politics, security, and the way nations approach counterterrorism efforts. It led to changes in U.S. foreign policy, the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, and the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act, which expanded the government's surveillance and law enforcement powers. The memory of 9/11 continues to shape international relations and security policies today. Or does it?

Dr C’s Analysis: Current U.S. border policy is essentially unrestricted, allowing the free movement of people between countries without significant legal or immigration controls and it’s a recipe for another fateful attack on our soil.

New York City's struggle to care for about 110,000 migrants who have arrived in the city since last year is having political repercussions for President Joe Biden, more than 200 miles away in Washington, D.C. But the political ramifications for Biden are not only emanating from New York City, but also other Democratic-run cities, including BostonChicago, and Philadelphia, before next year's election.

Dr C’s Analysis: New York City regarding migrants is a prime example of what happens when you combine bad local policies with poor enforcement of federal immigration laws.  If they truly want to stop illegal immigration, some good places to start would be expanding the number of ICE officers, pushing back on sanctuary cities, expediting deportations, increasing the efficiency and number of immigration courts, and economic sanctions against Mexico.

Colombian cocaine output surged to a record last year, with the drug flooding into new markets and fueling violence across the planet. Satellite photos show the amount of land planted with coca, the raw material for making the drug, rose to 230,000 hectares (570,000 acres), in 2022, up 13% from the previous year. That’s enough to produce 1,700 tons of refined cocaine, the most ever, according to a report published Monday by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The supply glut has led to rising purity in Europe and the US, and a surge in seizures everywhere from Africa to Asia to Eastern Europe. And it has turned once-peaceful Ecuador into one of the most violent countries in the world, as cartels fight for control of ports and routes.

Dr C’s Analysis: These increases are attributed to three major factors. One is when you combine bad local policies with poor enforcement of federal immigration laws.  The second is the focus of decriminalization and or ignoring the criminal laws regarding drug distribution in the in the United States. The third is fentanyl is out control and extremely addictive. Cocaine laced fentanyl, along with other fentanyl laced drugs are taking over the markets and the customers are loving it! Often to death!

More than 100 protesters openly carried firearms in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Sunday to rally against Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's temporary gun suspension that was enacted under an emergency public health order. Lujan Grisham temporarily suspended open and concealed carry laws in Bernalillo County for at least 30 days in an executive order announced Friday. State police, who were tasked with enforcing the gun order, told KOB 4 that no citations were issued at the rally. Other police officials in the state, including Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, have said they will not enforce the order. 

Dr C’s Analysis: This is another assault of U.S. citizens, Second Amendment rights but also citizens of New Mexico’s rights as Second Amendment rights are part of the state constitution. Unfortunately, this action by the New Mexico Governor is by design. Grisham used the state police during the Covid 19 Lockdowns to enforce her edits on distancing and masking requirements. Now, under the guise of public health policy she is trying the same tactics with gun violence. This is a probe to see how elected officials can assume power over their constituents and ultimately affect progressive public policy. Another outcome is knowing that many people will take to the streets in defiance which could result in the fomenting of violence. Grisham would love seeing Second Amendment supporters out of control!

Gun Law Restrictions Do Not Work!

Dr C’s Analysis: I’m sorry but this issue just drives me insane! Once again, let’s examine why gun bans don’t work! Criminal Intent: Criminals, by definition, do not follow the law. They contend that individuals with criminal intent will find ways to obtain firearms illegally, regardless of the presence of gun laws. This is often referred to as the "criminals don't obey laws" argument. Enforcement & Prosecution: The illegal market for firearms can be robust, making it challenging for law enforcement to prevent illegal transactions. The key is enforcement of illegal guns and felons in possession of firearms with sentence enhancements for those that are felons in possession of firearms and those that commit felonies with firearms, either the use or possession. Stop Focusing on Legal Firearms Owners: Most gun control measures primarily affect law-abiding gun owners while doing little to deter or prevent criminal activity. Increased regulations disproportionately burden responsible gun owners. The Second Amendment: The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to bear arms, and stricter gun control measures infringe upon this constitutional right. If you still are not convinced see Items 1 & 3. Effectiveness of Measures: Specific gun control measures, such as certain types of background checks or magazine capacity restrictions, have not had a demonstrable impact on reducing gun violence. With respect to Red Flag laws, who will be the arbiter for laws like these? The government? Subjective laws bear no weight or value in reality. They are just infringements of rights.

The two Las Vegas teenage boys who allegedly intentionally struck and killed retired police chief Andreas Probst while he was riding a bike will be charged as adults.
On Wednesday, Judges ruled that the two suspects, Jesus Ayala, 17, and Jzamir Keys, 16, will be tried as adults in the Las Vegas Justice Court, according to an official with the Clark County district attorney's office, the Las Vegas Review Journal reports.
Ayala and Keys both face charges of murder with a deadly weapon, battery, and attempted murder. A judge ordered them to be transported to the Clark County Detention Center on Wednesday where they will remain behind bars until a jury decides their fate. Ayala and Keys have been accused of intentionally striking Andreas Probst, 64, a retired police chief who served 35 years in the force, while he rode his bicycle in northwest Las Vegas on Aug. 14, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.

Dr C’s Analysis: The continued wilding of America! As a country, we should focus on these five factors that I believe are causing crime increases: (1) The lack of faith, family, and formation has had a significant sociological and psychological impact on humans, especially our children. (2) The changes in prosecutorial and sentencing practices especially related to violent crime as become much more liberalism and more pro-criminal than pro-victim and community safety. (3) Less police practices in response on Black Lives Matter and other organized criticisms of police use. (4) The police defund movement has diminished budgets, police recruitment, and advanced police separations, and police retirements. (5) COVID public health measures such as travel restrictions, school closures, lockdowns, and curfews have wettened the appetite of those in power to so how much power they can have in order to implement their form of social change. For more information on how to stop violent crime, please read my published work, called the Advent of Feral Man and you will understand what is happening in America today regarding crime!

This is Dr. Currie Myers, America’s Criminologist.  Please check out my work on Substack at drcurriemyers.substack.com – Stay safe and have a great weekend!

Discussion about this podcast

Crime and Society Newsletter
America's Criminologist with Dr. Currie Myers
Talking crime and criminal justice issues with renown Criminologist Sheriff (Ret) Currie Myers, PhD, MBA. MS.
Dr Myers is an applied criminologist and public policy ethicist that is billed as "America's Criminologist" a media favorite on podcasts, radio, and television.