A sharp rise in homicides is hitting large US cities, signalling a new public safety risk unleashed during the coronavirus pandemic, amid recession and a national backlash against police tactics. You can read the Wall Street Journal‘s comprehensive analysis here.
Commentators have rightly pointed out that this article is paywalled. Here is a summary of the findings:
WSJ’s analysis of crime statistics among the nation’s 50 largest cities found that reported homicides were up 24% so far this year, to 3,612. Shootings and gun violence also rose, even though many other violent crimes such as robbery fell.
Police, researchers, mayors and community leaders see a confluence of forces at work in the homicide spike. Institutions that keep city communities safe have been destabilized by lockdown and protests against police. Lockdowns and recession also mean tensions are running high and streets have been emptied of eyes and ears on their communities. Some attribute the rise to an increase in gang violence.
Some cities with long-running crime problems saw their numbers rise, including Philadelphia, Detroit and Memphis, Tenn. Chicago, the worst-hit, has tallied more than one of every eight homicides.
Less-violent places have been struck as well, such as Omaha, Neb., and Phoenix. In all, 36 of the 50 cities studied saw homicide rise at double-digit rates, representing all regions of the country.
The consistency of the increase across all of the different cities is notable.
A good discussion of these findings was published in National Review today which you should be able to read here. https://www.nationalreview.com/the-morning-jolt/should-we-defund-the-police-as-homicides-rise-in-major-cities/
