The Biden administration is touting a decrease in violent crime in major US cities, citing preliminary data published by a coalition of cities. However, a crime data expert, Sean Kennedy, executive director of the Coalition for Law, Order, and Safety (CLOS), argues that his analysis of crime reporting data reveals a different story – violent crime is actually increasing compared to levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) released data showing a drop in violent crime levels from January to June 2023 compared to 2024, with 3,124 incidents in 2024, down from 3,783 in 2023. However, CLOS claims that their analysis of data from the same period in 66 major cities indicates a 9.6% increase in total violent crime, with aggravated assault up nearly 25% and murder up by 6.4%.
Kennedy points to discrepancies in data reporting, suggesting that agencies may not always submit accurate information, leading to inconsistencies between different data sets. He specifically highlights Philadelphia as an example, where the number of murders reported by CLOS is twice as high as the MCCA’s report for the same period.
While acknowledging that no crime data is perfect, Kennedy emphasizes the importance of scrutinizing data from various sources and considering local factors when analyzing crime trends. He cautions against drawing conclusions based solely on national trends, as local variations can significantly impact crime rates.
The debate over the true state of violent crime in US cities highlights the challenges of accurately measuring and interpreting crime data. It also underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in crime reporting, ensuring that data is accurate and reliable for informed decision-making.
