I don’t care if it costs me, as a taxpayer, to keep them in jail.

The problem isn't money, its that people cry "cruelty" as soon as you try to convict a criminal who also happens to be either an addict or poor.

But you're right, as long as these criminals are free to roam the streets, committing crimes with zero consequences, innocent people are going to get hurt. Innocent people are already have their lives turned upside down via theft, or being assaulted by these criminals, both verbally and physically.

But the bleeding heart "but they're addicts!!!" crowd couldn't care less about the victims of crime, they lack empathy for their fellow human beings. They only show empathy where its trendy to do so.