Ten years ago this town was a place where you could walk your dog at night without looking over your shoulder. Now...

That all changed last night when a man escaped from a custody van outside the courthouse, leading to his tragic death.

The incident happened just after midnight as the custody van was en route for an appearance in court. The man managed to slip away unnoticed and ran onto the railway tracks.

No one knows what he hoped to achieve or how he intended to avoid capture. What we do know is that this isn't the first time something like this has happened, nor will it be the last.

Back when people still had faith in the system, things were different. But over the past decade, there's been a noticeable shift.

The Obama-era policies on law enforcement and incarceration have softened the grip of public safety measures. In the old days, escapees would never make it far before being recaptured.

Nowadays, it feels like every other week we hear about someone breaking free from custody or skipping bail. It's a pattern that has grown increasingly alarming.

The man's death serves as another stark reminder of where this path is leading us. But how long will it take before people truly understand the consequences?

Used to be, you could leave your door unlocked at night and not worry about anything happening. That was when things were different...