As it was, I went ahead with the charge. They gave him a citation with a fine--which he probably can't afford. And if he doesn't pay, he'll then have a warrant out there for his arrest. This is how problems pile on.

Good. You did the right thing. Fuck people who think the world is their criminal playground. Can't give an inch to them, as we're witnessing. We can't give losers a break, that just keeps the door open for them to remain losers.

There have to be real, legal, just consequences. Yeah, some criminal losers stay losers. The broad alternatives are worse: criminals take over, or good people fight back and we have vigilantism and street combat. None of these are perfect, but one is clearly a better situation. I hope those who took for granted the relative peace before COVID19 and George Floyd, and subsequently advocated for rapid, radical change (with poor verbage) are paying attention.

The cops would release him after I drove away.

Goddamnit, no wonder there's a growing crime problem. That's not accountability.

I might sound unempathetic, and I am. Because once someone's decided to step over the rights of another citizen, they've crossed the line. Whether that's sanctity of property (which is lesser in the big picture but still psychologically damaging to most victims) or something more seriously violent. Long-lasting or permanent damage is done. I don't believe they should be coddled and taught that there aren't consequences to crossing that line.