New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested the current surge in crime in New York City is the result of financially struggling residents’ efforts to feed their children.
When taking questions from her constituents Thursday during a live Facebook town hall, the freshman Democratic lawmaker offered her take on the lawlessness, which is taking place amid anti-police rhetoric in the city and a conversation about defunding law enforcement agencies, which she supports.
“Why is this uptick in crime happening? Well, let’s think about it. Do we think this has to do with the fact that there’s record unemployment in the United States right now? The fact that people are at a level of economic desperation that we have not seen since the great recession?” she said.
“Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren’t paying their rent and are scared to pay their rent, and so they go out and they need to feed their child and they don’t have money.
“So you maybe have to — they’re put in a position where they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry that night. …
“Maybe it’s because of the fact that some people still haven’t gotten their stimulus checks yet.”
AOC on increased NYC crime: "Maybe this has to do with the fact that people aren't paying their rent & are scared to pay their rent & so they go out & they need to feed their child & they don't have money so… they feel like they either need to shoplift some bread or go hungry." pic.twitter.com/oHSTWWJZ6a
— The Hill (@thehill) July 12, 2020
The congresswoman’s comments on Facebook were made prior to another weekend of violence in the city.