Part 7/12:
Harrell’s insistence on a "health-based strategy" has drawn widespread skepticism. Critics mock the concept as an excuse for outright leniency, questioning how addressing "root causes" can be effective when offenders continue committing crimes despite purported efforts to "help" them. His reference to programs like offering buprenorphine (a medication for opioid addiction) and connecting individuals with community resources are seen as Band-Aids that do little to deter ongoing criminality.
Furthermore, his approach raises fundamental questions: How do you balance compassion with public safety? If offenders who have repeatedly broken the law are not incarcerated, what message does that send? The answer, many argue, is a city where lawlessness is tolerated, and victims are ignored.