Rising crime rates could undermine the US’ progressive prosecutor movement

Larry Krasner, one of the first big city district attorneys elected as part of the progressive prosecutor movement, is up for reelection this year. He’s expected to keep his seat after winning the city’s Democratic primary in May. That primary was seen as a major test for the progressive reforms Krasner and others like him are pushing — amid a big spike in violent crime happening in major U.S. cities since the start of the pandemic. Philadelphia has reported nearly 300 homicides so far this year.

A similar spike is also happening in LA, where homicides are up 40% over the same period.

And while Krasner and his policies still seem to have voters’ support, in California, similar reforms are fueling recall efforts against LA District Attorney George Gascón and San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin.