Misleading Crime Statistics + Other Miscellany
Includes an important action alert!
Instead of the usual deep-dive, I’d like to share a few things on my mind this rainy Sunday. Let me start by extending gratitude to my subscribers and those who share my work. This network is growing and it’s because of you. Thank you!
For more in-depth coverage on policing issues, hop on over to my Recommendations page to discover new Substack writers. They’re a pretty impressive group.
Why It’s Difficult to Trust Crime Statistics
We live at a time when the truth is manipulated to conform to prescribed narratives. Even crime statistics can be designed to paint a portrait that’s far removed from reality.
Take San Francisco, for example. Politicians, pundits, and journalists are eager to minimize crime plaguing the city. Crime is down or Crime in San Francisco is not as dire as in other cities, they claim.
Cold comfort.
If public safety isn’t an issue as some contend, why did Whole Foods Market feel the need to close one of its flagship stores (albeit temporarily) just a year after opening?
Per Fox digital,
“You would never see brazen thieves in previous years … t's shameless going in five, 10, 15 of them roughing up innocent storekeepers, but stealing stuff in a way – I mean, there was always shoplifting in this and that. But the fact that they just reject the rules utterly of civilization.”
Not only is the Crime is down narrative one-dimensional, in at least some cases, it’s based on incomplete statistics.
Not all crimes are being reported
A crime that doesn’t get counted on paper is still a crime. Rapes, homicides, and assaults are no less heinous because they didn’t make it onto an official record.
Police departments, including those in Austin, Seattle, Phoenix, and Asheville, have announced that due to staffing shortage, they’re no longer able to respond to certain calls.
But it doesn’t stop at “low priority” calls. Chicago PD recently didn’t have enough officers to assist on 52% of its high-priority 911 service calls dispatched.
This got me to thinking: How prevalent and widespread is this issue? It’s difficult to locate this data (it shouldn’t be), and the only reason we have Chicago’s stats is because of actual investigative journalism being practiced at Wirepoints.
It’s an issue I’d like to do a deep-dive on, so if you’re privy to instances of misleading or incomplete crime statistics, please kindly reach out at fortheblue@substack.com.
It Really is About Attitude
The Wall Street Journal ran an excellent piece about U.S. senator, Tim Scott a couple days ago.
The op-ed reads, in part,
“I know America is a land of opportunity, not a land of oppression,” the 57-year-old from South Carolina said in a three-minute video released this week. “I know it because I’ve lived it.” Mr. Scott was raised by a single mother in poverty. “I was that hopeless kid in America,” he said in a 2020 speech.
“But he graduated from college and started his own business, and he credits his success in large part to the support of his Christian mother and a local Chick-fil-A franchisee who took an interest in him. Many voters will see the better angels of America’s nature in this story.”
My woman’s organization honored Senator Scott as a Gentleman of Distinction a couple years back, so I may be biased. He is however, a true gentleman, patriot, and statesman.
Considering the hardships he experienced early in life, it would have been easy enough to slide into a “victim” role. Instead, armed with a determined attitude, he did the hard work, going on to become a respected U.S. senator and presidential candidate.
This is what the U.S. is about. All Americans who want it, should be able to reach their full potential. This won’t happen if we remain in our current course, however.
Action Alert
Please urge your U.S. representative to SUPPORT H.J. Res 42. and DISAPPROVE of the “Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.”
Background
Last year, the D.C. city council enacted police “reform” referred to as the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 (CPJRAA). It handcuffs the ability of police officers to do their job in accordance with the law and their training (familiar story).
Predictably, it’s resulted in the exodus of hundreds of experienced officers and has emboldened repeat offenders.
Per the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP),
“The Washington, D.C. City Council Council seeks to strip MPD officers of their right to bargain collectively with the city over disciplinary procedures—a right which all other public employees have.
“The legislative action also repeals the requirement that the MPD commence discipline against their officers within 90 business days, which will result in abusively long disciplinary investigations that violate the Constitutional rights of these officers. The PCJRRA also provides for the disclosure of disciplinary records which will include personally identifiable information—placing these officers in jeopardy.”
This is where H.J. Res 42 comes in. It’s intent is to nullify the CPJRAA.
You can use FOP’s handy form to write to your U.S. representative. It takes but just a few seconds to make a difference.
Yay!
As I write this, I’ve nearly completed my law enforcement presentation that will be made available to thousands of women across the country. A huge shout-out to a dear friend and police veteran for looking it over before it goes live!
My goal in creating this presentation is to educate women on how the war on cops harms us, and to inspire them to support law enforcement.
Each of us has a unique set of gifts and skills that can be used to advocate for police officers. I’d love to know how you’re using yours.
As always, thanks for reading and please stay safe.
For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.
Nice structure whetting the appetite for more!