> Violent crime was very high in the 80s and 90s, after laws were passed that greatly increased prison sentences for violent criminals in the mid-90s, violent crime has dropped off a cliff.

There were continuous tough on crime efforts throughout (and beyond) the very long “crime wave” period, but there’s very little evidence that they has any impact on turning things around. Better explanations are the demographic bugle aging out of the age range that drives most crime, the lead-crime link, and the legalized abortion crime effect.