If the they could not respond to 700k high priority crimes does this mean whether or not there was a serious crime committed it was never recorded and went undocumented? So rather than having crimes go down they actually are unable to even get to the crime and report it?
That is a really great question, Jason! Here's my understanding.
What we know is that CPD didn't have enough officers to send to 52% of the 788,000 high-priority calls in 2021 (even more cops have left since this report). Whether any of these calls are actually calculated as part of official crime statistics depends on whether an officer was eventually able to answer the call to determine what the actual crime was. How many of these calls were eventually answered, IF they were answered? Great question.
The tragedy is that lives are being lost because officers aren't available when seconds count. One example is CPD Officer Areanah Preston.
On another note, there are a number of other reasons why crime statistics can be misleading, like the fact that not all citizens report crimes, or that crimes can be recategorized as something less egregious. An attempted murder, for example, might be recorded as something like "first-degree reckless injury and strangulation." Another factor is that not all police departments submit their crime statistics to the FBI.
I'm actually working on a presentation on this very topic that will be available next year. We'll invite experts who are knowledgeable about this topic.
I wouldn’t define myself as a bonafide expert, but I have a pretty good handle on how crime stats were reported, and a good base some of the rules and myths. I did a video for my podcast about it. I’ll link it below. It wasn’t my best work, I can further explain what I mean.
You made an excellent point about the definitions used in crime reporting. A heinous crime is still a heinous crime even if it doesn't meet a technical definition.
I'm also intrigued by the book "How to Lie With Statistics" that one of your subscribers mentioned. Have you had an opportunity to read it?
Wow, this is excellent intel, and yes, it will be useful for my presentation! I'm still in the preliminary stages and we won't be taping until early next year. I have two experts lined up, but would love to include your input as well. Would you be available to participate? If not, I'd love to include your data, and of course, will give you full credit.
If the they could not respond to 700k high priority crimes does this mean whether or not there was a serious crime committed it was never recorded and went undocumented? So rather than having crimes go down they actually are unable to even get to the crime and report it?
That is a really great question, Jason! Here's my understanding.
What we know is that CPD didn't have enough officers to send to 52% of the 788,000 high-priority calls in 2021 (even more cops have left since this report). Whether any of these calls are actually calculated as part of official crime statistics depends on whether an officer was eventually able to answer the call to determine what the actual crime was. How many of these calls were eventually answered, IF they were answered? Great question.
The tragedy is that lives are being lost because officers aren't available when seconds count. One example is CPD Officer Areanah Preston.
https://abc7chicago.com/chicago-police-officer-killed-areanah-preston-cop-shooting/13229898/
On another note, there are a number of other reasons why crime statistics can be misleading, like the fact that not all citizens report crimes, or that crimes can be recategorized as something less egregious. An attempted murder, for example, might be recorded as something like "first-degree reckless injury and strangulation." Another factor is that not all police departments submit their crime statistics to the FBI.
I'm actually working on a presentation on this very topic that will be available next year. We'll invite experts who are knowledgeable about this topic.
I hope this answers your question. : )
I wouldn’t define myself as a bonafide expert, but I have a pretty good handle on how crime stats were reported, and a good base some of the rules and myths. I did a video for my podcast about it. I’ll link it below. It wasn’t my best work, I can further explain what I mean.
https://youtu.be/NZzy15d80LQ?si=5pjmDw9JLwYbbySv
You made an excellent point about the definitions used in crime reporting. A heinous crime is still a heinous crime even if it doesn't meet a technical definition.
I'm also intrigued by the book "How to Lie With Statistics" that one of your subscribers mentioned. Have you had an opportunity to read it?
Yes, I’d be glad to help in any way I can. I’ll gladly participate.
Excellent! I'll be in touch. It'll be a few months, since I'm working on other projects. Thanks so much.
Wow, this is excellent intel, and yes, it will be useful for my presentation! I'm still in the preliminary stages and we won't be taping until early next year. I have two experts lined up, but would love to include your input as well. Would you be available to participate? If not, I'd love to include your data, and of course, will give you full credit.