Gotham City is famously depicted in comics and movies as one of the most dangerous and crime-ridden fictional cities. Despite falling crime nationally, parts of America have become mini-Gothams with repeated violent crimes committed by people with addiction and mental illness. The difference is that even Gotham City has Arkham Asylum, where violent people suffering from mental illness are sent.

Crime has fallen across America, but the continued attacks in America’s transit and public spaces are particularly worrisome. They are completely unprovoked, they target vulnerable people (the elderly, women, commuters), and they are almost universally committed by a very small, highly concentrated demographic: chronic repeat offenders with severe, unmanaged mental illness or addiction.