"Cops are still taking more stuff from people than burglars do."

[mahatmakanejeeves]

David Weigel Retweeted

As the guy who originally made this chart I periodically get asked to update these numbers, which only go through 2014. So it brings me no pleasure to report the following: Cops are still taking more stuff from people than burglars do https://thewhyaxis.substack.com/p/cops-still-take-more-stuff-from-people

Link to tweet

From 2015:

Economic Policy

Law enforcement took more stuff from people than burglars did last year



By Christopher Ingraham
November 23, 2015

Here's an interesting factoid about contemporary policing: In 2014, for the first time ever, law enforcement officers took more property from American citizens than burglars did. Martin Armstrong pointed this out at his blog, Armstrong Economics, last week.

Officers can take cash and property from people without convicting or even charging them with a crime — yes, really! — through the highly controversial practice known as civil asset forfeiture. Last year, according to the Institute for Justice, the Treasury and Justice departments deposited more than $5 billion into their respective asset forfeiture funds. That same year, the FBI reports that burglary losses topped out at $3.5 billion.

{snip}

By Christopher Ingraham
Christopher Ingraham was a reporter on The Post’s business desk from 2014 to 2021. He currently writes the Why Axis, a newsletter about the data shaping and informing our lives. Twitter https://twitter.com/_cingraham

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. The indiscriminate use of the terms 'cops', 'law enforcement', and 'federal law enforcement' in the

totality of the post ... is frustrating. These are not synonymous terms, yet are treated as though they are above. Federal law enforcement is neither 'the cops' nor 'the police'.

Though I get the point and think civil forfeiture is generally an evil concept (only very occasionally appropriate) and needs to be curbed.

[at140]

3. Your post is excellent! Recced and kudos.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Thanks for the insight. NT

[msongs]

2. legal extortion thanks to congress nt

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

4. The forfeitures covered here look to be federal.

I infer that similar activities by state and local law enforcement are not included.

[Demovictory9]

5. Kick