Violent crime is down in the United States from 398 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants to 380, between 2020 and 2022, according to recent FBI data.
That has been, to a large extent, at actions of the American Rescue Act, which President Joe Biden promoted and was approved by Democrats without support from Republicans.
“We want to make sure that people know that in that American master plan, only the Democrats voted in favor and none, not a single Republicanvoted in favor of this,” lamented White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre in an interview with this newspaper.
Recent reports from the FBI and local police highlight that in Detroit there were 18 percent fewer homicides; There were 261 homicides in Detroit in 2023, the city’s lowest number since 1966, according to the city Police Department.
In Philadelphia, homicides have decreased more than 20%non-fatal shootings have decreased by 28% and violent crimes have decreased by approximately 7%, according to data from local authorities.
“You think about some of these cities, like Detroit, Philadelphia, you know, that have a large Latino population, right? And we cannot highlight something if there is no representation,” said Jean-Pierre.
He highlighted that in Detroit more than $100 million dollars were invested to hire police officers and invest in community intervention, funds under the aforementioned law.
In the case of Philadelphia, he added, the investments allowed homicides to decrease, but mental health problems were also faced.
“That matters in Philadelphia, for example, where there is a significant Latino population; “Philadelphia invested millions in intervention against group violence and community crisis intervention programs,” the official highlighted. “And so in 2023, they saw a 20% drop in homicides, so that matters.”
In the states where those cities that have reduced crime are located, there is a significant Latino population, in New York there are 3.7 million; in Illinois 2.2 million; in Pennsylvania more than a million, and in Michigan more than 500,000.
There are challenges to face
The spokesperson acknowledges that there are challenges in particular states and cities, but although she does not mention them directly, the National data from the FBI reveals that California, where there are more than 15 million Latinos, has 499 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants; in Texas 431, although he dropped from 453 in one year; while in the city of Washington, DC, 813 were reported, but it fell from 951.
“Communities in cities and towns need to feel that they are safe and that they have the resources they need,” defended Jean-Pierre. “The president met with police chiefs who have seen crime decrease and are reporting this to their local governments in their cities.”
The spokesperson insisted that the rescue plan funds continue to work under President Biden’s Security Agenda plan, an administration that reports that in 2023, the Department of Justice provided law enforcement agencies, research institutions and organizations state, local, tribal and territorial non-profits almost $5.8 billion to promote public safety.
Is there a problem with the perception that crime has not decreased? The spokesperson was asked.
“Yes, there is a misconception or misinformation or maybe people just need to understand what this president has done,” he said. “We have seen a decrease in violence in the communities. “The Department of Justice is certainly engaged with more federal prosecutors, agents and analysts to make sure we are fighting, for example, gun crime in cities across the country.”
Invest in the community against crime
The Biden Administration’s investments also include funds for community actions, not only police agencies, Jean-Pierre acknowledges.
“Absolutely, I mean, that’s one of the things the president wanted to make sure was community intervention, community engagement and community connection,” the spokeswoman said. “We wanted to make sure police officers were really working with their community. […] They’re dealing with crime or they’re dealing with violence. It has to be hand in hand.”
The designations promoted by the Biden Administration integrate funds for community actions.
“The grants included more than $200 million to fund 1,730 new police officers in nearly 400 communities,” indicates an official White House report. “The 2023 grant from the Department of Justice also included more than $173 million in local funding to improve school safety.”
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