Chief Flynn responds to questioning of crime statistics
Yesterday I received the following letter from MPD Chief Ed Flynn, via Annie Schwartz, evidently a response to my earlier writing about the limitations and problems in the way MPD's annual crime statistics are reported. My further comments on the issue can be read here. -Dan Knauss
Dear Mr. Knauss--
I would like to personally address your posting regarding the recent release of the positive, downward trend in crime we are experiencing here in the city of Milwaukee.
We announced a downward trend for the last seven quarters and I have attached the Uniform Crime Reporting Data analyzing data from 2005-2009 to assist you in understanding how we analyze crime trends. The UCR data is the definitive reporting vehicle used by law enforcement when analyzing trends. I hope you will share these two charts with your readers, as you have shared other data sources with them.
You acknowledged in your posting that there is a nearly two-year trend of crime declines, followed by your statement that it was "just" two years of decline. A two-year decline - or as we reported, a crime decline for seven straight quarters - is not an anomaly, it is a trend. Anecdotally, I can tell you that my experience in talking with the community members across seven police districts, is that people generally feel safer.
We have shown a greater presence in the very neighborhoods you mention: Harambee, Riverwest, the UWM area and the East Side. I have met with community groups in all those areas, along with the elected officials and have heard from the grass roots to the Aldermen that they see a positive change. Every morning, I meet with my district and bureau commanders and we analyze the crime data from the previous 24 hours. In doing that, we have been able to quickly identify any crime trends that appear in an area.
Following the two shootings in the Riverwest neighborhood, we held a Roll Call in the street to show the community that we would be out in force - and we were; on bicycles, on foot and in the marked squads. The bicycle officers serve as an additional layer to address crime in those areas, like nuisance and abandoned properties, graffiti and drug dealing. Additionally, we work closely with Neighborhood Watch and Block Watch groups to address their concerns.
We solved the murder of Nathan Potter and we continue to work on the homicide of Jontae Woodley. And you are right - we have increased the number of our car stops in targeted areas in a very deliberate strategy to prevent burglary, armed robbery and car theft. The 30% drop in auto theft and the 12.5% drop in robbery over last year proves this strategy is working, as does the 18% drop in violent crime overall.
There is much data available, but the data that tells the story is the UCR data that is universally used by law enforcement to gauge their crime trends. This is the data that is submitted to the FBI and is the national standard.
Since I became Chief of Police in January 2007, and since we reorganized and redeployed our department's resources, we have put into place a strong data-driven problem-oriented, community-focused policing strategy that is working.
On Thursday, November 5, the regular District 5 Crime Reduction Meeting will begin at 5 p.m. with a special overview of crime prevention efforts in Riverwest. I hope that you and your neighbors will come to discuss any concerns you may have with the District 5 personnel who will be in attendance.
Sincerely,
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