Peter Moskos – The Extraordinary NYC Crime Drop

In 'Cop in the Hood,' Peter Moskos provides a detailed and unflinching examination of his year as a police officer in Baltimore's Eastern District. The book delves into the harsh realities of urban policing, exposing systemic flaws and the human challenges faced by officers. Moskos discusses the transition from traditional police patrols to a more modern, dispatch-driven system, the futility of the 'war on drugs,' and the psychological toll of the job. He also argues for the reform of the criminal justice system and the legalization of drugs. The narrative offers a comprehensive insight into police culture, crime patterns, and the complex relationship between police practices and community crime rates.

This book provides an in-depth look at the policing strategies, including Compstat, and the societal factors that contributed to the extraordinary reduction in crime in New York City during the 1990s. Written by Peter Moskos, it offers a unique perspective from the viewpoint of police officers who were on the job during this period.

This book expands on Mac Donald’s groundbreaking and controversial reporting on the Ferguson effect and the criminal-justice system. It deconstructs the central narrative of the Black Lives Matter movement: that racist cops are the greatest threat to young black males. Instead, Mac Donald argues that it is criminals and gangbangers who are responsible for the high black homicide death rate. The book exposes the truth about officer use of force and challenges the concept of 'mass incarceration. ' It shows that proactive policing in the 1990s, along with lengthened sentences for violent crime, saved thousands of minority lives. Mac Donald advocates for a more honest and informed debate about policing, crime, and race, warning that race-based attacks on the criminal-justice system are eroding the authority of law and putting lives at risk.

In 'In Defense of Flogging', Peter Moskos argues that the current prison system is broken, inhumane, and ineffective. He proposes a system where certain classes of convicts are offered a choice between jail and flogging. Moskos contends that flogging, although cruel, is a quicker, cheaper, and more honest form of punishment compared to the lengthy and often brutal experience of incarceration. He highlights the flaws in the current prison system, including high costs, recidivism, and the psychological and physical harm inflicted on prisoners. Moskos's argument is that optional corporal punishment could reduce the prison population, lower recidivism rates, and provide a more humane alternative to the existing system.