Crime updates from Chief Craig

[mwilbert]

Obivously, we need the homicide rate to go down. That will be the real proof in the pudding. But the rate can't go down if 90% of them go unsolved. So it's good to see that progress

I doubt this is correct. Most homicides aren't committed or not committed with a view toward the likelihood of punishment, so whether you solve them or not doesn't have a big affect whether most homicides happen--homicides are more a product of the overall environment. Clearance of homicides is a good thing for lots of reasons, but it isn't a requirement for reducing homicide rates. On the other hand, getting crime in general down will almost certainly reduce homicides, and if you aren't solving homicides you probably aren't solving a lot of other crimes either, including types of crime where solving crimes has a big effect on incidence.

Regardless, I welcome any sign that the DPD is improving, and this is one of those signs. I hope for continued improvement.