^{According to recently released FBI statistics, crime rates are down 23% compared with the same period in 2023. Violent crime fell 10% and reported rapes decreased by 18%. Aggravated assaults during that period decreased 8%, according to the data, while robberies fell 14% and reported property crime was down 13%.}

^{One Democrat supporter labeled these statistics as another fantastic Biden-Harris win to go along with the strong economy.}

^{What absolute nonsense!}

^{The economy isn’t strong, nor do I believe the crime rates are decreasing.  In many of our large cities the police are abandoning pro-active law enforcement, and they are no longer pursuing or cataloging many sorts of crimes.  Retailers are fleeing some metropolitan areas because of high losses to theft, and violence in these cities has become endemic.}

^{A few years ago I would drive visitors from my home in Ellicott City to the nearby city of Baltimore and show them the tourist attractions.  Today I hesitate to do that, especially after dark.  The city has become too dangerous.}

^{What are we to believe?  Do we trust the news we hear and the images see on television, or do we accept these  FBI statistics as indicating that things are getting better?}

^{I wish I could believe what the bureaucrats tell us –}

^{The border is secure.}

^{Crime is decreasing.}

^{Unfortunately, evidence tells me the opposite.}