More leniency? New Los Angeles County policy will allow offenders to be released without bail

A new policy that recently went into effect in Los Angeles County could harm crime-fighting efforts because it would allow those accused of nonviolent crimes to be released rather than be held on bail while awaiting court appearances.

The new Pre-Arraignment Release Protocols (PARP), which went into effect last Sunday in Los Angeles, no longer have the rule of setting financial bail amounts for those accused of minor or non-violent crimes.

A judge determined that the system discriminated against minorities and the poor, so now suspects will be released with a simple order to appear in court on a specific date.

Law enforcement officials have already expressed concerns about how this new policy could lead to increased crime.

“This zero-bail schedule is just another policy that leaves us less safe than we should be,” said Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri.

Jeff Reisig, district attorney of Yolo County, California, also criticized the policy and highlighted that the justice system ignored “the only thorough comparative study in CA on Zero Bail and its impact on statewide crime.”

“What our 2023 study [of Yolo County] found was frightening: 163% more crime plus 200% more violent crime committed in CA by arrestees released from jail on Zero Bail,” he said.

Citizens' concern

Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, reported that since last week her office has received several calls from citizens concerned about the new policy.

“Residents don't feel safe. One only has to turn on the TV each morning and hear what happened the day before ... people want to know how this is going to impact crime on the street,” she expressed.