Global Courant
Rapper Curtis Jackson, aka 50 Cent, spoke last week about the Los Angeles crime crisis in response to the recent reintroduction of the zero deposit policy.
Jackson shared a FOX 11 Los Angeles segment about the zero deposit policy on Instagram Reels on Thursday. The policy, which was passed during the COVID-19 pandemic in an effort to reduce prison overcrowding, cuts bail to just $0 for suspects charged with misdemeanor and non-violent crimes.
“LA is done, look how bad it gets out there. SMH (shakes my head)” the “Candy Shop” rapper wrote on Instagram.
Critics say the policy, which returned in May after ending in July 2022, is increasing violent crime in the Golden State.
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Recording artist Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson of music group G-Unit performs onstage during the 2014 iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 20, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
A recent study published by the Yolo County District Attorney found that a zero-deposit policy has “horrific” consequences for public safety.
“I mean, we’ve got more people getting shot at, stabbed, assaulted, robbed, beaten. These are real victims — and the numbers are staggering without bail,” Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig told Fox News Digital.
The study found that suspects who were released without bail reoffended 70% more often than those who posted bail, and were re-arrested on 163% more charges. Defendants released without bail were also charged with three times as many violent crimes.
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Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson performs onstage at STARZ Madison Square Garden “Power” Season 6 Red Carpet Premiere, Concert, and Party on August 20, 2019 in New York City. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for STARZ)
When asked by Fox News Digital in May, the LA County Sheriff’s Department said they would enforce the policy.
“The ministry is aware of the interim order regarding the cash bail system and will of course comply with any court bail order.” read the statement from the sheriff’s office. “The county is also working with the court and other stakeholders to explore ways to reduce the number of people being held before arraignment for failing to post bail and to provide the sheriff with more release options to safely reduce the prison population while priority is always given to public safety.”
Progressives have argued that cash bail is unfair to low-income defendants who cannot afford bail. In May, a reparations task force commissioned by Governor Gavin Newsom pushed for an end to the cash bail.
50 Cent attends the New York premiere of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” at the Hammerstein Ballroom on July 15, 2021 in New York City. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
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“The bail system is at the heart of many of the class and race-based inequalities in the criminal justice system,” the task force claimed. “The task force therefore recommends that the legislator take all necessary steps to permanently terminate the cash bail.”
Kristine Parks and Michael Ruiz of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
