re: Would you like for your tax dollar to be used to pay thugs not to shoot thugs?

It's not like our tax dollars are being spent on better things. Although, this is fricking stupid.

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Would throwing thugs into the fire put it out or act more as kindling?

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I'd equate that more to throwing left over firecrackers in the bonfire. It serves a purpose, and is entertaining.

Nothing insane about that.

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They're taking our tax money either way. Why not try this if this reduces gun violence, murder, and saggy pants?

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Because my taxpaying dollars shouldn't go to someone to NOT shoot somebody. If that's the case, I can keep the $1000 in my pocket because I'm not shooting anyone either.

This story is absurd.

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trips to South Africa, London and Mexico City for rival gang members

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Well shite, I would have joined a gang a long time ago if I knew field trips were involved.

Seriously, things like that don't bother me if they work (doubt they do). I'm not for giving them straight cash, or not charging he with crimes. But if there is a social program that costs less than putting them in jail and has positive results, why not.

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They began paying Holmes as much as $1,000 a month not to commit another gun crime.

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I know they said reserach shows it works, but could it be that the mentor program is the part doing the work?

Seems silly that someone would decide to not shoot someone for $1000, but ya know, not make that same decision to not spend the rest of their lives in prison.

Basically, I have strong doubts that $1000/month is stopping many of these dudes from shooting someone.

fricking ridiculous

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And when the elaborate efforts at engagement fail, the mentors still pay those who pledge to improve, even when, like Holmes, they are caught with a gun, or worse — suspected of murder.

The city-paid mentors operate at a distance from police. To maintain the trust of the young men they’re guiding, mentors do not inform police of what they know about crimes committed. At least twice, that may have allowed suspected killers in the stipend program to evade responsibility for homicides.

And yet, interest in the program is surging among urban politicians. Officials in Miami, Toledo, Baltimore and more than a dozen cities in between are studying how to replicate Richmond’s program.

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On a recent day, three of the program’s 20 fellows sat in jail, charged with violating parole restrictions after they gathered with suspected gang members. One of them also was carrying a gun when police descended on the hangout, which means he could face a long term if convicted.

There have been worse failures. Four of the program’s fellows have died since 2010, including two who were killed by other fellows, said Boggan and Vaughn. The suspected killers have not been charged and remain in the program.

“We’ve still got to deal with that fellow,” Vaughn said. “Because who’s to keep him from killing another one .?.?. ?”

Although the program appears to largely be working for its small group of recruits, homicides citywide are rising again, raising questions about its wider impact across Richmond.

After reaching a record low 11 homicides in 2014, killings nearly doubled in Richmond last year and are on pace to match that again this year.

And Boggan, 49, and Vaughn, 39, say their fourth class of recruits, younger than the first three — are progressing surprisingly slowly, and the mentors acknowledge that they are having a harder time connecting with the class of “youngsters.”

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No, just use the electric chair as it was intended!

Awful