FBI data shows America is seeing a ‘considerable’ drop in crime. Trump says the opposite.
FBI crime data shows decrease, despite Trump's contrary claims USA TODAY
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Crime Trends in the United States: A Report on the Decline of Violent Crime
By Jeff Asher
Introduction
Jeff Asher, a New Orleans-based crime data analyst with experience at the CIA and Department of Defense, has been carefully examining crime trends in the United States. In contrast to former President Donald Trump’s narrative of a crime wave, Asher’s analysis of the data tells a different story.
The Decline of Murders and Overall Crime
Early data from 2023 showed a decline in murders nationwide, leading Asher to cautiously declare a major drop in killings. Preliminary FBI data for 2023 indicates a significant decrease in overall crime as well.
The Political Rhetoric and Public Perception
Despite the data contradicting Trump’s claims of a crime wave, many Americans still believe that crime is a serious problem. Trump and his conservative allies continue to use aggressive crime rhetoric as a central theme in their campaigns.
The Impact on the 2024 Election
Trump is making public safety concerns, particularly crimes committed by undocumented immigrants, a centerpiece of his 2024 campaign. His tough-on-crime message appeals to swing voters who may have concerns about other policy issues.
The Accuracy of Crime Data
The FBI relies on voluntary reporting from police agencies to develop national crime statistics. While some police departments do not report their data, the overall trend of decreasing crime is clear.
The Influence of Media Narratives
Public perception of crime is often influenced by political and media narratives rather than actual data. Despite the downward trend in crime, polls show that many Americans still believe crime is on the rise.
Conclusion
The reality is that violent crime in the United States has been decreasing in recent years. While there is still work to be done, it is important to base policy debates on the positive trend and address the remaining challenges.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article discusses crime trends and the perception of crime in the United States. This is connected to SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. It is also connected to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
- SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
- SDG 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities
The article highlights the decrease in murders and overall crime rates in the United States. This aligns with the target of reducing violence and related death rates (SDG 16.1). The discussion of crime trends also relates to the promotion of the rule of law and equal access to justice (SDG 16.3). Additionally, the article mentions the perception of crime in cities, which is relevant to the target of providing safe and inclusive public spaces (SDG 11.7).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Murder rates
- Overall crime rates
- Violent crime rates
- Property crime rates
The article mentions specific indicators such as murder rates, overall crime rates, violent crime rates, and property crime rates. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets under SDGs 16 and 11. By tracking changes in these indicators over time, it is possible to assess whether violence and crime rates are decreasing and whether access to safe and inclusive public spaces is improving.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere | Murder rates, overall crime rates, violent crime rates, property crime rates |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Murder rates, overall crime rates, violent crime rates, property crime rates |
| 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green, and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities | Murder rates, overall crime rates, violent crime rates, property crime rates |
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: usatoday.com
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