I don’t see that claiming anything about whether to punish people who commit crimes. IMO, it argues that keeping people out of jail by making it easier for them to not perform crimes is better for everyone.
Even if it does, I didn’t see that comment when I wrote mine. HN currently shows my comment as 10 hours old, the one you mention as 9, so I also think I couldn’t have seen it.
Comment numbers also support that observation (29932220 < 29932479)
This comment is basically arguing that: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29932479
They frame it a little indirectly, but it's the underlying core of their point.
You can advocate for policy that reduces crime while still enforcing laws against criminals and not excusing the criminal behavior.