The long term result of no consequences for criminal actions. Jussie Smollett was just the tip of the iceberg.
Via Hot Air:
While much of the attention Chicago is currently receiving revolves around the Jussie Smollett debacle, there are more serious matters afoot out in the streets. The Windy City has made some admirable, if slow progress in reducing its murder rate over the past few years, but gang violence remains an ongoing epidemic. None of this is new or surprising information. But an incident taking place less than two weeks ago is receiving national attention and it set off some alarms.
As the Chicago Tribune reported, on March 20th, two tactical police officers from the Chicago PD were in the process of arresting a suspected drug dealer on the city’s west side. After securing the suspect and confiscating a bundle of drugs as evidence, placing them in the patrol car, the officers were surrounded by a group of men who began to threaten them. At least one claimed to be armed and demanded the suspect be released or he would shoot the cops. Someone in the mob stole the drugs from the patrol car and fled, with one officer giving pursuit. The threatened violence surrounding the patrol car escalated and the cops wound up releasing the suspect and leaving the scene.
Yes, you read that correctly. A gang of young, potentially armed men forced two Chicago tactical police in the middle of an arrest to back down and release the suspected gang member. Chicago columnist John Kass is bringing national attention to the event and explaining why this is so much more than just a “local news story.”
What is learned here? The street is officially no longer afraid of the Chicago police.
If the cops had fired their weapons, news media would have been all over them, metaphorically skinning them alive. Politicians would have demanded their heads. Democratic presidential candidates, and the two campaigning for mayor, would have held repeated news conferences.
But this? Nothing.