Rensselaer County District Attorney Joel Abelove has reversed himself and says he will now again prosecute people who shoplift less than $100 worth of stuff from the Walmarts in East Greenbush and Brunswick. I can't imagine why the D.A. thought this was a good idea in the first place. I know you don't want the courts flooded with people busted for stealing a pack of gum, but everyone seems to agree... especially those in law enforcement... that letting people off the hook for petty thefts sends a very bad message. Also, how could Abelove be so naive as to think this "arrangement" with Walmart would not eventually be leaked to the media and blow-up in his face? Kelly and I talked about that this morning. - Chuck
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