Crime trends have been mixed in the last few years, with some crimes increasing (mostly involving violence) and others declining (the majority of property crimes). In spite of the facts, I’ve noted in the past how the media has systematically distorted the reporting of crime statistics to create the impression that crime is spiraling out of control.
If the 2007 patterns observed so far in the largest U.S. cities are any indication, the alarmist media is going to have to work hard to find a way to spin this round of crime statistics into doom and gloom. Of the ten most populous cities, I was able to locate year-to-date crime data for five of them.
New York City reports a 13% decline in homicide, an 11% fall in robbery, and a 7.5% reduction in burglary this year. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and his crew are having a good year as well: homicide is down 20%, robbery 6%, and burglary 2%. The numbers in Chicago are not quite as good: the murder rate is flat, with robbery down 7% and burglary down 2%.
Crime is also down across the board in San Diego, although I do not have exact percentages because the data for 2006 and 2007 were displayed in slightly different forms.
Of the five cities I examined, the only one that partially bucks the trend is Phoenix, which has seen a decline in homicide, but increases in both robbery and burglary.
Will an inventive media be able to use these crime data to scare people into thinking crime is getting worse? Most likely, yes. Never underestimate the creativity of journalists. Indeed, The Economist has already gotten a jump on the rest with an article describing Phoenix as a “crime-ridden mess.”
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Maybe it has to do with the demographic of the residents…Phoenix is certainly skewing older these days, and elderly retirees might be more susceptible to property crimes. Just off the top of my head…I don’t have any data on that.
Maybe it has to do with the demographic of the residents…Phoenix is certainly skewing older these days, and elderly retirees might be more susceptible to property crimes. Just off the top of my head…I don’t have any data on that.
I’m glad to know that, in general, crime is down, but violent crime is actually increasing, which is alarming. Beyond this, who (or what) benefits when the media distorts crime statistics? Why is this done? Are we simply living in a more fear-filled world these days, post 9/11, or is there some gain through inflating the danger of crime?
I’m glad to know that, in general, crime is down, but violent crime is actually increasing, which is alarming. Beyond this, who (or what) benefits when the media distorts crime statistics? Why is this done? Are we simply living in a more fear-filled world these days, post 9/11, or is there some gain through inflating the danger of crime?
Or, perhaps the Economist is right in saying that Phoenix is not as nice a place to live as it used to be. Murder rates are not the only factor affecting quality of life.
It’s easy for the media to exploit statistics for an exciting headline but it’s just as easy to make general, sweeping statements about media.
Both are equally unhelpful.
Or, perhaps the Economist is right in saying that Phoenix is not as nice a place to live as it used to be. Murder rates are not the only factor affecting quality of life.
It’s easy for the media to exploit statistics for an exciting headline but it’s just as easy to make general, sweeping statements about media.
Both are equally unhelpful.
Reply to 6)
Of course there is a benefit for inflating crime. The media is composed of profit seeking companies which know the best way to get people to watch or read the news is to create panic. How quickly would you turn the channel if they just reported “everything is fine, nothing went wrong today.” I am sure you were glued to the news during 9/11 just like all of America.
It’s the basic plan media always has, lure you in with sensational lines so you have to watch the whole thing. They want to make it so you have to watch the news or you might die.
Reply to 6)
Of course there is a benefit for inflating crime. The media is composed of profit seeking companies which know the best way to get people to watch or read the news is to create panic. How quickly would you turn the channel if they just reported “everything is fine, nothing went wrong today.” I am sure you were glued to the news during 9/11 just like all of America.
It’s the basic plan media always has, lure you in with sensational lines so you have to watch the whole thing. They want to make it so you have to watch the news or you might die.