There's a pall over the courts of many Brooklyn hasidic rebbes and haredi yeshiva heads today because longtime Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes lost in a landslide yesterday to Ken Thompson. Thompson has promised one standard of law for everyone – meaning no more special deals for haredi/hasidic pedophiles and other haredi/hasidic criminals. What will this mean for haredim?
Incoming Brooklyn D.A. Ken Thompson
In his victory speech last night, Ken Thompson promised to reform how the district attorney's office prosecutes criminal cases.
"We will have a DA's office, where there will be one standard of justice for all, no matter where you come from, no matter how much money you have," Thompson reportedly said.
What will this mean for haredim if Thompson stays true to his word? Will the rate of haredi crime drop?
Remember, Thompson won without the haredi bloc vote, sending a message to all other politicians – and sending shockwaves through haredi Brooklyn.
I think haredi rabbis will work even harder to try to cover up haredi crime and protect haredi criminals.
If Thompson stays true to his word and does not waver, and if he begins to prosecute these coverups, true beneficial change will come to the haredi community.
If not, it will be same old, same old in Brooklyn.
But if I were haredi, I wouldn't be betting on my rabbis any more. The risk in doing so is just too high.