I've now seen yet another report showing that as many as a third of all cities are not reporting crime data at all to the FBI, possibly because the numbers are embarassingly high. We already know that in some places, the prisons are so overcrowded that they are releasing some - a fact that is impossible to support if crime is going DOWN.
In addition, we have some crimes for which the perps are either never apprehended - such as the rise in robberies, assaults and carjackings - but other crimes such as shoplifting, where the police REFUSE to arrest the criminals.
We have police recruitment levels across the country at all time lows - precincts unable to replace those who have quit or chose early retirement. I'd like to know how it is possible that crime is down, but we have in some places, FAR FEWER POLICE to make arrests and charge people.
Lastly - some zones have grown so dangerous - that police simply won't go into them - partly because of the danger, but also because they know that the DA's and courts will not support them.
So next time your building is invaded by drug gangs, your local storekeeper beaten by thugs or you yourself are carjacked - take comfort in the fact that crime is DOWN and you're so much safer than you were four years ago, when the administration was soft on crime.
