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Apocryphon

This project is not without precedence, it was tried in Richmond, CA already:

https://www.governing.com/archive/gov-washington-crime-finan...

77% drop in homicides

http://www.nccdglobal.org/sites/default/files/publication_pd...

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Richmond has been a great example of how changing police policies and the way we try and "treat" crime can have a massive positive effect even when many view it as coddling or paying off criminals. most young criminals were born into a situation that led them to become who they are... If they have another financial incentive or opportunity to change many of them will. Obviously not 100%, but very few people have a dream of becoming some piece of crap criminal who adds nothing to society. The unfortunate truth is that over the last couple decades the opportunities to build yourself up from nothing without selling your life/soul to the military or some other group as I did is not nearly as achievable.

The question i have is after the Richmond program ended (assuming it did, as those things always end at some point), did homicide rates rise back up?

In other words is it a catalyst for real change? Or is it simply a government sponsored protection racket?

Looks like a marked improvement at first glance, if anyone can find a more definitive source it’d be appreciated:

http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Richmond-California.htm...

If they gave a million bucks to each, it would be close to 100% drop in homicides.

Sure. And it’d probably be cheaper than current prosecution and incarceration costs, especially when it comes to housing death row prisoners for decades and administering executions.

Old article, but $300m per prisoner:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/20/california-dea...

TBF, 25k each to the lowest earning group as a one-time payment would probably be enough. Maybe mix it with some small business program to help them start legit businesses like food trucks, glamping/airbnb rentals, etc...

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