Todd Starnes, the best-selling author and host of the “Todd Starnes Radio Show,” blasted the decision by Philadelphia police to stop making arrests for some non-violent crimes in the city and said the move essentially gives a “green light” to the bad guys.
“For the sake of public safety, the City of Brotherly Love is going to forsake public safety,” Starnes said. “I’m not sure the new directive is going to reassure small business owners. The police commissioner effectively gave the green light for every criminal in the city to pillage and plunder.”
Reports emerged Tuesday that some perps who would normally be arrested and processed will instead “be temporarily detained to confirm identification and complete necessary paperwork. The individual will then be arrested on a warrant at a later date,” Fox 29 reported. The move is an effort to reduce the coronavirus’ spread.
The crimes included in the decision are non-violent and include all narcotics offenses, thefts, stolen cars and burglaries, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Danielle Outlaw, the city’s police commissioner, said that the department will “continue to enforce all the laws,” according to CBS Philadelphia. The report said she was frustrated that the document was leaked before authorities were able to explain it to the public.
“People committing certain non-violent crimes will be retained at the scene with a warrant to return for processing. When we are on the other side of this health crisis, we will return to our normal protocols. With that said, no one will escape accountability for the crimes they commit,” she said.
The Fox report said other adjustments to the department’s operations include the implementation of social distancing between police and the public and the suspension of the “Live Stop” vehicle impoundment program. Police officers will be tasked with making a case-by-case decision during these arrests and will have to determine if the perpetrator is a threat to the public.
The Fraternal Order of Police supported the decision.