This week, the Daily News reported a few stories that should be read together. One talks of the rising murders, shootings and thefts in the borough. The other discusses the drop in convictions by Bronx criminal juries. It is all the same problem, trust and credibility. Following the Louima and Diallo cases, the entire police force feels abused and maligned.
Sources say many have given up.
Not suprisingly, crime goes up. The community feels abused by the cops, so they're ignoring police testimony and allowing criminals to walk out the courthouse door. In the end, no one but the bad guy wins. The horrible melee in Philadelphia yesterday will only exacerbate such nationwide tensions. A group of officers beat and kicked a suspect following a shootout and high-speed chase during which civilians and an officer were injured by the suspect.