Kelli Ballard: Crime Doesn’t Pay, But Certainly Is Expensive

Progressive lawmakers see the error of their ways.

Crime doesn’t pay, but it certainly costs cities, states, and residents. In Oregon, for example, just one murder costs $9.1 million, “with $5.15 million coming from quality-of-life losses,” The Center Square reported. As violent crimes continue to rise, so do the prices for handling them.
Everyone Suffers the Cost of Crime

Economically, crime impacted the Beaver State by an estimated $14.9 billion in 2023, according to a report by the Common Sense Institute (CSI). “That is a cost of $3,509 per Oregon resident.” Violent incidents were the most expensive at $9.6 billion, about 64.7% of the state’s financial burden. These types of offenses rose by 24.3% from 2020 to 2023.

“[M]urders result in $1.8 million in future earnings and household contributions of the victim per murder,” The Center Square pointed out. Furthermore, on average, rape costs about $289,928 per occurrence, while assaults cost $50,072, and robberies amount to $29,215. Drug-related crime also cost a pretty penny and accounts for $969 million for Oregon as drug overdose deaths rose by 28.9% from 2020 to 2023.

In 2020, the state passed Measure 110, which decriminalized drug possession. CSI claimed the bill contributed to drug-related crime. Although lawmakers somewhat reversed the measure earlier this year, the financial impact remains serious.

“The financial and societal cost of crime in Oregon is staggering and should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and communities alike,” said Mark McMullen, CSI VP of Policy and Research, in the report. “Violent crime and drug-related offenses are driving significant costs to residents and businesses, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes like substance abuse and economic instability.”

Blue States Backpedal on Progressive Laws

The past few years have seen blue states doubling down on crime reform, including defunding the police efforts and decriminalizing certain offenses. After seeing the destruction this has caused, however, voters and lawmakers are finally beginning to see the error of their ways.

“Voters have decided in recent years that they prefer to adopt progressive changes to the criminal justice system ‘somewhat less aggressively,’” Dan Schnur, a former Republican strategist and a political communications professor at the University of Southern California and the University of California, Berkeley, told Stateline.

In December, voters in Arizona, California, and Colorado approved measures that would increase prison time for certain crimes. In the Golden State, Proposition 36 was approved, increasing penalties for various drug-related crimes. It also addresses retail theft and homelessness. “Under the new law, people convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value,” Stateline explained.

Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig told the outlet: “Our strong belief is that this will send a deterrent message to others that there are consequences again.”

“With options for increased sentencing and mandated treatment, Prop. 36 could provide tools to address repeat offenses more effectively,” Sacramento Police spokesperson Sgt. Dan Wiseman wrote in an email to Stateline.

In Colorado, voters approved an amendment that makes first-degree murder suspects ineligible for bail. Another approved measure allocates $350 million to help hire additional law enforcement officers and provide training and bonus pay to them.

In Arizona, Proposition 314 allows law enforcement the ability to arrest noncitizens, specifically targeting people trying to cross at ports of entry. The measure makes this a Class 1 misdemeanor for the first offense and a felony for succeeding offenses.

The shifting policies in traditionally progressive states highlight a growing realization: Being tough on crime is often better for the economy, public safety, and community well-being.

Kelli Ballard is an author, editor, and publisher. Her writing interests span many genres including a former crime/government reporter, fiction novelist, and playwright. This article was first published HERE