Reply #31: at least in nyc, the crime stats are bogus... [View All]

the crime rate is only going down because Bloomberg & NYPD brass are pressuring police officers to downgrade crimes DRAMATICALLY.

ARMED ROBBERY = STOLEN PROPERTY
FELONY SEXUAL ASSAULT = MISDEMEANOR FORCIBLE TOUCHING
GRAND LARCENY FELONY = PETIT-LARCENY MISDEMEANOR

Just like NCLB forced schools to replace proper education with "teaching to the test." CompStat has turned police officers stat-obsessed and ready and willing to fudge reports.

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/nypd_stats_were_captain_cooked_ykUWy6gXcPxYl87fGonQoO
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2010/05/26/2010-05-26_leaders_unite_demand_precinct_leaders_head.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-sledge/cop-on-the-nypd-tapes-und_b_572730.html
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2010/05/audit_those_nyp.php

the above links are the tip of the iceberg. most of this is a not so well kept secret in nyc and the 800 lb gorilla in the room in the law enforcement community in particular.

eta: just wanted to note that crime is actually going up in nyc. but you won't see that in the papers or in NYPD press briefings.