FBI: Murders, Rapes Increased In 2021

According to new FBI statistics, the number of murders and rapes committed increased year-over-year in 2021. However, many law enforcement agencies — including the Los Angeles and New York City police departments — did not report any data. This could lead to undercounts of certain violent crimes. For voters, the data confirms that Democrats’ soft-on-crime reforms are failing to keep cities and neighborhoods safe. 

Fox News: Violent crime continued to rise across the U.S. last, according to an annual estimate the FBI released Wednesday.

Murders increased 4.3% last year, rising from 22,000 to 22,900, while rape instances rose as well. The FBI acknowledges that violent crime is at the very least matching the high levels seen in 2020, which surged nearly 30% over 2019. . .

“We’re seeing a disturbing violent crime surge across the country. I know you’re seeing it too,” [FBI Deputy Director Paul] Abbate said at the time. 

Crime is a liability for many Democrats running in key races with soft-on-crime records. Democratic Senate candidates Mandela Barnes and John Fetterman both advocated for reducing prison populations, and Fetterman led the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons’ efforts to commute sentences of violent criminals.

The Hill: The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has paid for ads highlighting Fetterman’s support for sanctuary cities, eliminating life sentences for murders and reducing prison populations. . .

Republicans are also attacking Fetterman for supporting clemency for Lee and Dennis Horton, brothers who served 27 years in prison after being convicted for robbery and a fatal shooting. Fetterman, who chairs the state board of pardons, advocated for their release and hired them to serve as field organizers for his campaign. . .

Incumbent Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) and the NRSC have labeled Barnes as “dangerously liberal on crime” and highlighted Milwaukee’s rising crime rate. More specifically, they have emphasized Barnes’s support for eliminating cash bail. 

Crime is also a liability for Democratic candidates for governor. In New York, Kathy Hochul oversaw the implementation of dangerous reforms that put convicted murderers and cop-killers back on the street. Under Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, murders increased 70 percent between 2019 and 2021 and nearly 300 convicted murderers or attempted murdereres were released early for parole.

Tina Kotek, Democrats’ nominee for governor of Oregon, continues to defend the state’s failed drug decriminalization law. Kotek is doubling down — despite a spike in overdoses — by proposing safe havens for meth users. Kotek is also under fire for “enabling homelessness,” by barring fines for people camping in public spaces.

Bottom Line: Democrats’ policies are enabling criminals, making cities and neighborhoods less safe.