The State Needs Crime

Local and state governments want crime. They need crime.The courts make their living off of it. The jails are only in business because of it. Non violent crimes (Traffic violations, misdemeanors, non lethal robberies etc.) are the bread and butter of a city or town or State's court system. The money from the fines pays the courts salaries. I know they receive tax revenue but not nearly as much as they receive from fines and penalties and court cost. Jails are like hotels, they only make money when the rooms are booked and lose money when the rooms are empty. Violent crimes on the other hand are used to enact laws and push agendas. An example being you see everyday how all the shootings around the country are being used to push gun control. No one at the State or Local level is going to come out and say they want crime but they know the reality is they need crime to an extent.