Perhaps Bernie sees himself as Fidel, Stalin, or any other COMMIE all powerful "leader".
Or perhaps he figures that they'll all just kill themselves off?
This guy is a total idiot, well past his expiration date.
For a Communist, criminals and violent subgroups are social allies, useful for keeping the majority, especially any remaining middle class, off balance and unable to mount opposition. It comes along with ubiquitous informing - if you see something suspicious, tell someone (the police). Violent subgroups do not normally challenge the government- pace the Chechens- and are easy to channel.