The Democrats again find themselves facing a pivotal moment where they could prove they aren’t associated with violence. Yet, they remain largely silent on what appears to be escalating into a major national concern.
Recent footage made public by the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) reveals a disturbing incident: a violent criminal fatally stabbed 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Irina Zartzka. In the video, Zartzka is shown sitting on a train when, according to police, she was attacked by 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown Jr.
Surveillance visuals depict Brown, a homeless ex-convict, inflicting deadly wounds. Authorities have confirmed that he has a lengthy criminal history that includes prior convictions for armed robbery.
Brown has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has an extensive record of violent offenses: armed robbery, felony theft, burglary, and shoplifting.
After an earlier arrest for misusing emergency services, Brown underwent competency evaluations, but those assessments were never finalized. This allowed him to remain on the streets despite his reported violent tendencies.
Cases like Brown’s are all too familiar in large Democrat-led cities, where leniency towards violent offenders seems to overshadow the pursuit of justice for victims, thus creating a troubling cycle. It’s a reflection of policies where repeat offenders with mental health issues are not effectively contained.
In contrast, amidst a push against crime in Washington, D.C., former Democratic strategist Dan Trenne suggested on an August episode of a morning show that his party ought to acknowledge and even embrace initiatives aimed at reducing violence.
He proposed hiring 100,000 new police officers funded by tariff revenue, stressing that communities need to feel safe again. However, the Democrats chose not to heed his advice, instead labeling these crime initiatives as politically motivated actions by Republicans.
Democratic representatives like California’s Ted Lieu dismissed Trump’s crime prevention strategies, suggesting they could lead to a police state. Lieu highlighted that, while military presence may reduce crime in oppressive regimes, it’s not the type of society Americans want.
This situation illustrates how Democrats handle the rising concern of crime among everyday citizens. A Gallup poll from October 2024 found that 75% of American voters take violent crime very seriously. Many are connecting Zartoska’s tragic death to Democratic policies, yet significant Democratic figures in North Carolina have not publicly addressed the incident.
It might be wise for Democrats to leverage this tragedy to advocate for stricter measures against violent offenders, rather than continuing to overlook the safety of potential victims.
