gripes and musings

NYC speeding cameras work: New study finds reduction in collisions and injuries

They're also remarkably lenient--only $50 fines and no points

Dec 9, 2025 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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November 2025

Zohran Mamdani, Jessica Tisch, and the NYPD

The ruling class forced Zohran's hand on Tisch. Can the left build enough power to protect him from police unions?

Nov 13, 2025 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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April 2025

If we only defend the "innocent," we will all become "criminals"

Allegations of criminality have always been deployed to justify state violence but even ‘imperfect’ victims deserve basic rights

Apr 17, 2025 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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September 2024

Our new study on the police shooting of Jacob Blake

We found that the shooting reduced Black Chicago residents' trust in police (and no effect for whites)

Sep 22, 2024 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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June 2024

Palestinian Liberation and Police Abolition Go Hand In Hand

The severe repression of the recent encampment protests proves that these struggles are inexorably linked.

Jun 3, 2024 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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May 2024

"Research malpractice" or best practice? Debating "rigor" in criminal justice reform

Arnold Ventures' criminal justice portfolio lead accused Vera Institute researchers of, well, screwing it up bigtime. I take a look under the hood.

May 29, 2024 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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September 2023

Should reformers care about "evidence"?

Better research probably won’t end mass incarceration.

Sep 19, 2023 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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July 2023

The feds are going to take over Rikers jails

What is a receivership, anyway? What does it mean for us?

Jul 19, 2023 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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A New Deal for Nightlife?

Some reflections on working in the music industry and trying to respond to sexual violence.

Jul 17, 2023 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

June 2023

The "profit motive" theory of criminalization

I don't buy it. (Get it?)

Jun 27, 2023 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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May 2023

Stuff I'm reading: April '23

More nerd blogging about academic books.

May 1, 2023 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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April 2023

On "business unionism" and labor militancy

What does it mean to be militant?

Apr 9, 2023 • Jonathan Ben-Menachem

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