Not saying it was right or justified but if that was $1800 dollars worth of merchandise it is no wonder some folks sought to shoplift.
If the police were so proud of their actions to stage the swag and their officers and post those pics on their web site why did they then delete it all after a little criticism?
It is reported that two of the MOST WANTED perps were homeless, one being a 64 year old woman.
Again that does not make her-their actions right.
But seriously, I can fully understand AOC's tweet and the thinking and sentiment behind it and yes I can agree she has most definitely got a point.
She spoke of political and economic priorities and how the 12 shoplifters are vilified as "monsters" but it is true, politics and economic priorities are skewed in New York as well as across this nation.
The NYC police budget is well over $5 Billion, should folks be happy that under that budget criminals are apprehended and stolen goods are recovered and hopefully returned to the appropriate merchants?
Yes.
But I have no doubt the 12 perps arrested in that proud sting operation by the police, at least two of which were homeless, will be considered undeserving by many, beginning with the OP, of any mercy and understanding in the New York justice system.
These down and out folks don't deserve consideration of their situations or how they arrived there, right, they are guilty of thievery, right?
Let the mercy of the justice system be saved and meted out to those truly deserving of it!
Like poor Michael Steinhardt.
One of the world’s most prolific antiquities collectors has been banned for life from purchasing any other artifacts. As Tom Mashberg reports for the New York Times, billionaire hedge fund manager Michael H. Steinhardt also surrendered 180 stolen relics worth more than $70 million as part of an agreement with the Manhattan District Attorney’s (D.A.) Office.
In a separate statement quoted by the Times, Steinhardt’s lawyers say their client is “pleased that the district attorney’s years-long investigation has concluded without any charges, and that items wrongfully taken by others will be returned to their native countries.”
A deal made with the Manhattan district attorney bars billionaire Michael Steinhardt from purchasing ancient objects for the rest of his life
www.smithsonianmag.com
Years long investigation? How much did that cost the taxpayers? He was caught after he stole $70 million dollars worth of art and artifacts, 180 items, but he was not even charged with one single solitary crime. He was not even arrested. He got off scot free.
Too bad he hadn't shoplifted some Scott towels!
No.
I am not saying Michael Steinhardt's situation justifies what those shoplifters did, but in the full circle of it all it should give some perspective to AOC's chagrin.